Brassica a'bolting

This is the flowering body of Red Russian Kale. The farm has been harvesting and selling from two long beds of it for the past couple months, but the hot weather has caused it to finally bolt (i.e. flower) and it's no longer of suitable quality for sale. Soon it will be mowed over to make room for something new, but fortunately until then we get to enjoy the crop as glorified flower beds.

Kales are a manipulation of Brassica oleracea, a species that also gives rise to cabbage, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower, and broccoli. While there are obvious morphological differences between each crop, they mostly flower in the same basic way. Once a single stalk is sent up through the center of the plant, an inflorescence forms at the top; then a crown beads up and pops out little yellow flowers.