An increasingly diverse number of minor acreage specialty crops are grown in this region every year. Managing some of these crops can be difficult without local experience. It is helpful to at least know what botanical family they belong to because crops in the same family often have similar growth habits, pest problems and fertility requirements. There are almost no pesticides registered for some of these crops because of the limited acreage, but response to pesticides is often, but not always, similar to that of other crops in the same family. Knowing the family they are in can often give you an idea of what to expect. Kerb, for instance, is generally safe to crops in the Composite family (Lettuce, artichokes, radicchio) but is harmful to crops in the brassica family (Broccoli, cabbage, bok choy). The following chart lists crops by botanical family.
Crop Families
|
Botanical name |
Common name |
Crops |
|
Asteraceae |
Composite or Sunflower |
Lettuce, endive, radicchio, artichokes, echina, sunflower, salsify, chrysanthemum, stevia, scorzonera, romaine, cardoon, burdock |
|
Cruciferae |
Brassica or mustard |
Broccoli, arugula, mizuna, horseradish, cress, bok choy, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, radish, rapini, tot soi, cabbage, rutabaga, brussel sprouts, canola, Chinese cabbage, mustard greens, rape, turnip |
|
Umbelliferae |
Carrot |
Carrot, dill, celery, cilantro, fennel, parsley, parsnip, celeriac, angelica |
|
Chenopodium or Amaranthus |
Goosefoot |
Spinach, chard, beets, amaranth, epazoloe, sugar beets |
|
Allaceae |
Lily or onion |
Asparagus, garlic, onion, leek, shallots ,scallion, cipollini |
|
Cucubitacea |
Melon |
Melons, pumpkin, cucumber, squash, gourd, zucchini |
|
Solanaceae |
Nightshade |
Tomato, potato, peppers, eggplant, tobacco, tomatillo, petunia |
|
Malvaceae |
Mallow |
Okra, cacoa, jute, hibiscus |
|
Polygonacea |
Knotweed |
Rhubarb, sorrel, buckwheat, dock |
|
Lamiaceae |
Mint |
Basil, mint, shiso, sage, marjoram, oregano, hyssop, savoy, thyme, stachsy |
|
Leguminosae |
Bean |
Peas, beans, lentils, alfalfa, clover, lupin, soy beans, peanut, garbanzo, cowpea, vetch |
|
Gramineae |
Grass |
Wheat, barley, corn, rice, sugar cane, oats, sorghum, lemon grass, sudan, millet, rye |
