Stray dogs, “wacky” genes, and a deep affection that inspires “blasphemous” poetry. The plant known as Brassica rapa has quite the history, one that, after decades of debate, is finally emerging. The single species, which humans have turned into turnips, bok choy, broccoli rabe (also known as rapini), and other residents of the produce aisle, began up to 6,000 years ago in Central Asia, most likely in the shadow of the Western Himalayas’ sky-piercing peaks. Earlier this month, Molecular Biology and Evolution published findings from an unprecedented study of B….
