n.
Hardy biennial plant in the mustard family, cultivated for its fleshy roots and tender leaves.
There are two species, the turnip proper ( Brassica rapa ) and the Swedish turnip, or rutabaga . The true turnip probably originated in middle and eastern Asia and spread by cultivation throughout the temperate zone. Both species are cool-season crops. Turnips develop rapidly enough to have an early-spring or late-summer seeding produce a crop before, respectively, extremes of summer or late-fall weather occur.