Brassica napus
Brassicaceae (crucifer family)
Location: Oil seeds
Origin: It is a major world oilseed with the largest production in western Canada, Europe, India, and China.
Biophysical Requirements: In the U.S. it is grown in the north western plains.
Food Uses: The seed contains 42% oil when air dried to less than 10% moisture. Oil‐seed rape was traditionally an industrial oil used for lubricants and other non‐food products. “Canola” is a type developed in Canada that is low in the anti‐quality component erucic acid. Oil from seed of the new cultivars (free of erucic acid) is used for making edible food products.
See also Purdue University new crops website.