Romanesco broccoli, and edible fractal with many health benefits

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Romanesco broccoli, an algorithmic beauty, cross between broccoli and cauliflower, sometimes called Broccoflower, is one of these plants that would let you think for a while if you're not in front of part of an out-of-this-world flora.

Broccoli, originally cultivated by the Etruscans and brought to Tuscany with them, place from where it was distributed later on, is one of the vegetables with anti-carcinogenic properties, from the genus Brassica known as one of the most effective at reducing the risk of cancer [1]. This property may be explained by the principle bioactive compounds, isothiocyanates (ITCs) [1], and diindolylmethane, a compound that is produced naturally during the digestion of indole-3-carbinol, a molecule found in Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables of its family, the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae. Image: Romanesco broccoli by Leon Brocard under Creative Commons license (CC by 2.0).

BRASSICA OLERACEA (BOTRYTIS GROUP)

Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Brassica
Common name: Romanesco broccoli, Broccoflower.