Plants

collard greens

Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC.

Family: Brassicaceae · Genus: Brassica

kale

Placenta I Low No biomass production

collard greens — Photo by David J. Stang · CC BY-SA · iNaturalist

Perennial brassica widely grown in Brazilian backyards. Pasini gives it as an example occupying the low stratum in consortium with broccoli (medium), tomato/okra (high), and corn (emergent). Leaves harvested continuously from the base; plant produces for 2 years.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage: Placenta I
Ecological role: Pioneer
Primary stratum: Low
Strata: Low
Biomass class: No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Soil pH range: 5.5–7.5
Preferred soil texture: Loamy, Clayey, Sandy
Hardiness zones: 7–11

Morphology

Mature height: 0.4–1 m
Recommended spacing: 0.5–1 m
Root system: Taproot
Root depth: Medium
Growth rate: Very fast
Lifespan: ≤ 2 years
Time to first harvest: 3 months

Biomes & climate

Atlantic Forest Suitable
Cerrado Suitable

Köppen classes

Tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw) Suitable
Subtropical with dry winter (Cwa) Suitable
Humid subtropical (Cfa) Suitable

Where it fits in a guild

Collard greens takes the Low stratum in the Placenta I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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🪴 Cultivation

Non-heading leaf cultivar (acephala group), harvested leaf by leaf from the base and productive for up to 2 years. Best between 7 and 22 °C and tolerant of light frost; some cultivars hold up to ~28 °C. Space 0.8–1 m between rows and ~0.5 m between plants. Usually propagated by seed, also by cutting. Fertile, well-drained soil, pH ~6.0–7.0.