The Plant Family Brassicaceae: Introduction, Biology, And Importance

Abstract

The model plant family Brassicaceae, also known as Cruciferae, is among the largest angiospermic family belonging to the order Brassicales. The family consists of annuals, biennials as well as herbaceous perennials. The Brassicaceae family comprises many different edible species such as fodder, oilseed, vegetables, and condiments. This family is crucial for vitamins A, B1–2, B6, C, E, K, and minerals such as magnesium, iron, and calcium. Members of the family Brassicaceae produce secondary metabolites that are not only family-specific but also species-and genus-specific. The family consists of various important genera that have diverse economic as well as agronomic use in exploring the world of knowledge using them as model plants. This family has precisely documented advances in the understanding of phylogeny, polyploidy, and genomics in the members of the Brassicaceae family in a very brief and concise review. There are numerous plants having great economic and agronomic importance in family Brassicaceae to scientific and medicinal significance. Moreover, various species of Brassicaceae are explored for their pharmacological potential.