Plants

cauliflower

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.

Family: Brassicaceae · Genus: Brassica

Placenta I Medium No biomass production

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Annual brassica grown for its white inflorescence. Pasini lists it in the high stratum of Tabela 3 (alongside broccoli and cabbage). 90–120 day cycle; sensitive to extreme heat.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage: Placenta I
Ecological role: Pioneer
Primary stratum: Medium
Strata: Medium
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: 0.2–0.8 m
Recommended spacing: 0.6–0.75 m
Root system: Taproot
Root depth: Medium
Growth rate: Very fast
Lifespan: ≤ 1 year
Time to first harvest: 4 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

Cauliflower takes the Medium 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

Cool-season crop, the most demanding of the group for stable temperature; the mature curd does not resist hard frost (below 0 °C for hours). Transplant at ~0.6 m between plants and ~0.75 m between rows. Taproot reaching 0.75–0.9 m deep with heavy occupancy of the surface soil. Fertile, well-drained soil, pH ~6.0–7.0; regular irrigation is essential for uniform curds.