The oilseed and turnip rapes exist in two forms and are grown in cool temperate regions such as Northern Europe. The winter rapes are sown during the last 10 days of August and the first 10 days of September and harvested the following July, and the faster growing spring rapes sown in Northern Europe during late March and early April being harvested mid-August to September.
Rape exists as annual and biennial plants.
Both oilseed and turnip rape have a tuberous tap root. Each plant has a number of racemes on which yellow flowers are carried. The height of the crop varies depending upon the variety and is typically between 70-250 cm. Industrial uses including feedstocks for pharmaceuticals and hydraulic oils. Rapes can cross with other wild Brassicae such as charlock and wild mustards.