Bearing a cross.

Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a family of plants which have four petals arranged like the arms of a cross, as the mustard, radish, turnip, etc.

of or relating to or belonging to the plant family Cruciferae

A term referring to vegetables in the cabbage family such as broccoli, cabbage and kale. Cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens (see below), which interfere with the way the body absorbs iodine. Feeding too many cruciferous vegetables to iguanas can cause goiter (see below). For more information on diet, refer to the Food and Feeding page.

with four petals in the form of a cross.

Cruciferous vegetables, a family of vegetables with cross-shaped flowers, are also called brassicas, or cabbage family vegetables. They include cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kale, as well as mustard greens, turnips and rutabaga. These vegetables contain phytochemicals called indoles, which seem to offer protection against some forms of cancer. They are also rich in vitamin C.