Question

Is Turnip a root?

Answer 1

Turnip is part of the mustard family and grows every two years. It is known to have originated from middle and eastern Asia and is grown throughout the temperate zone. They provide plenty of nutrients and are low in calories. They can provide potassium which can help people with high blood pressure.

Complete answer:
Turnips are a root vegetable and are part of the cruciferous family with other vegetables like Brussels sprouts, and kale. They are one of the world’s most important vegetable crops and can be used to feed both humans and cattle. The most used types of turnip are purple or greenish which have a white bulb known as the storage root which grows above the ground and has smooth skin without scars. Both their roots and leaves, also called the turnip greens, are edible, like most cruciferous vegetables.

It is an example of modified taproot and napiform root. Usually, a taproot is straight, thick and tapering and grows directly downward. The Napiform type of storage root on the other hand has a top-like look and is very wide at the top and tapers suddenly like a tail below.

Yes, Turnip is a root.

Note: It is a root vegetable like the other cruciferous vegetables, however it is not actually root at all but a swollen stem underneath the soil. Due to high fibre in turnip, it makes people feel fuller for longer even though they are low in calories.