Collards, Chards and Dandelions: 3 Highly Nutritious Leafy Greens

Scientific name of collards or collard greens is Brassica oleracea cv. acephala. The name 'acephala' means 'without a head'; that is, this Brassica vegetable is formed of loose leaves unlike cabbage or other Brassica vegetables. It belongs to the genus Brassica and family Brassicaceae, the mustard family. It is believed to be originated in the region comprising of Western Europe, the Mediterranean region and the temperate regions of Asia.

Chards or Swiss chards are of two types: Flavescens group and Cicla group. Scientific name of Swiss chard belonging to cicla group is Beta vulgaris var. cicla and that belonging to flavescens group is Beta vulgaris var. flavescens. Swiss chard belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae, the beet leaf family. Swiss chard, a vegetable of temperate climate, is believed to be originated in Mediterranean region.

Scientific name of dandelion is Taraxacum officinale. It belongs to the family Asteraceae, the chrysanthemum family. It is a native to Eurasia and North America. Dandelion greens are grown for its edible leaves which are used as a leaf vegetable in many parts of the world.