This plant of the cabbage family attains a height of up to 3 feet.
Leaves are large, with long petioles, so form a canopy above and around the edible heads.
The latter are 1 to 2 inches across and are comprised of tightly packed leaves and core, resembling miniature cabbage heads. As the main plant stem elongates additional small heads are formed, so harvest is extended with heads ready to harvest and others forming at the same time. Plants are usually started in outdoor beds and transplanted to the field.