Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America

Cauliflower, Lists 1-26 Combined

Edited by Mark W. Farnham

USDA/ARS Vegetable Laboratory
2875 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29414

Absolute (HMX 0226) - Breeder: Clause/Tezier. Vendor: Harris Moran. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: main season, fresh market type with medium plant size, excellent curd protection, dense and bright white head color; wide adaptability with very uniform maturity. Adaptation: U.S. 2002.

Alaska (HMX 0227) - Breeder: Clause/Tezier. Vendor: Harris Moran. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: for spring harvest in coastal regions and warm wet season in Mexico; medium large plant type providing very good head protection; heads are dense, domed and white. Adaptation: fresh market or processing, U.S. 2002.

Allwhite (type 141) - Breeder and vendor: Rijk Zwaan B.V. Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated, dark green erect leaves; white flowering head, well covered. Adaptation: wide. 1980.

Alpine (SSC 55) - Breeder and vendor: Shamrock. Characteristics: an early hybrid for autumn cropping, curds are pure white with a deep dome. Resistance: international greening. Similar: Candid Charm. 1992.

Arapaho - Breeder: Yates, New Zealand. Vendor: Moran Seeds. Characteristics: open pollinated, for mild areas, plant in the fall for early spring harvest; deep, white, smooth heads 6-6.5" in diameter; large, erect, dark green plants. Similar: Australian types. Adaptation: mild climate areas. 1978.

Arctic (SSC-58) - Breeder and vendor: Shamrock. Characteristics: a second early hybrid for autumn cropping, plants produce dense deep domed white curds. Resistance: international greening. Similar: Cashmere. 1992.

Artemis (XPH 5793) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow. Characteristics: medium maturity, head coverage is excellent with upright jacket leaves, the curd is dense and well domed with nice white color. Similar: Snow Star. Adaptation: southern, central Italy for over-wintering plantings. 1992.

Artica (HMX 3171) - Breeder: Clause. Vendor: Harris Moran. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: uniform, white, heavy dense curd; good curd cover; excellent vigor with uniform maturity; no internal greening of curd, self-wrapping. Adaptation: Mexico, Pacific northwest, Canada, Eastern U.S. 1998.

Attribute (HMX 0242) - Breeder: Clause/Tezier. Vendor: Harris Moran. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: fresh market production in the eastern U.S.; also for baby production in the western U.S.; good quality dome with exceptional white color and good yields. Adaptation: fresh market, U.S. 2003.

Balmo (XP 4010) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated, later maturing than Polo. Similar: Polo, February. 1984.

Blizzard (NV1550) - Breeder and vendor: Rogers Brothers. Characteristics: white curd with high density, approximately 85-90 day maturity, 6-7" head diameter. Similar: White Rock, White Satin. 1991.

Callisto (BOS 5008) - Breeder: Joseph Stern. Vendor: Orsetti Seed Co. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: inner wrapper, large dense head. Adaptation: late spring, summer, fall harvest. 2000.

Candid Charm (NVH 1505) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup King Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, uniform, vigorous, tight-domed head; later-maturing than Snowball Y; does not produce purplish color on head. Similar: Glacier and Snowball Y. Adaptation: all cauliflower producing areas. 1983.

Capricorn (BOS 5010) - Breeder: Joseph Stern. Vendor: Orsetti Seed Company, Inc. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: inner wrapper, smooth, deep round head. Adaptation: summer, fall. 2001.

Cashmere (S-22) - Breeder and vendor: Sakata. Characteristics: vigorous leaf jacket protects a dense white core. Similar: Early Glacier. 1988.

Cheddar (PX 66196) - Breeder and vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: medium weight curds, firmness; medium orange with elevated beta carotene level. Adaptation: NAFTA - Northeast and Southwest Coastal U.S. 2004.

Cielo Blanco (PS 514415) - Breeder and vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: vigorous, self blanching type for winter harvest in California and Arizona; produces heavy, smooth white curds that are well protected; for fresh market and processing. Similar: White Magic, Incline, Shasta. Adaptation: NAFTA - Southwest Coastal U.S. and Mexico. 2004.

Concert (RCF1520) - Breeder and vendor: Rogers. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: vigorous, upright plant, early maturity, white, domed and dense heads, tight curd cover, suitable for fresh and processed use. Resistance: some heat tolerance. Adaptation: spring, summer and fall harvest seasons. 1997.

Corsica (BOS 5070) - Breeder and vendor: Orsetti Seed Co.  Adaptation: U.S.  2005.

Crown Jewels (PSX 516189) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed. Characteristics: early maturing, self blanched, high quality white curd. Similar: Snow Crown. 1994.

Crystal (PSX 90384) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed. Characteristics: upright medium green leaves, good handling, dense white curd. Similar: Snowball Y Improved. 1991.

Defender (PSX 548290) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed. Characteristics: large vigorous plant mid to late maturity for winter harvest in coastal areas. Similar: Snow March. 1992.

Earli-light (ACX 1803) - Breeder and vendor: Abbott & Cobb. Characteristics: extra early maturity, heat tolerant. Similar: Early Snowball. 1982.

Early Glacier (NVH 1506) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup King Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, about 10 days earlier than Glacier and Snowball Y; tight, dome shaped head; good vigor. Similar: Snowball Y and Glacier. Adaptation: all cauliflower producing areas. 1983.

Early Snowball A - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Parentage: selection from Super Snowball. Similar: Super Snowball. Characteristics: earliness; large, smooth heads. Adaptation: eastern and midwestern United States. 1941.

Early Snowflake - Breeder and vendor: Dessert Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated, early. Similar: Tropical types. Adaptation: warm regions.

Early White - Breeder: Fukukaen Nursery and Bulb Company, Nagoya, Japan. Vendor: W. Atlee Burpee Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, very early, large round-headed type that holds well without becoming loose or ricey; good self-blanching tendency. Similar: Snow Crown. Adaptation: wide. 1981.

Europa (BOS 5020) - Breeder: Joseph Stern. Vendor: Orsetti Seed Company, Inc. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: very small frame, summer culture for increased planting density, inner twisted jacket, good head solidity. Adaptation: spring, summer. 2001.

First White - Breeder and vendor: Burpee. Characteristics: very early maturity, good cold tolerance, large white heads, loose head cover. 1999.

Glacier (NVH 1504) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup King Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, uniform, tight, dome-shaped head; Snowball Y season. Similar: Snowball Y. Adaptation: all cauliflower producing areas. 1983.

Green Ball - Breeder: Michigan State Agric. Expt. Serv., East Lansing. Parentage: Pua Kea x Spartan Early (cauliflower x broccoli). Characteristics: chartreuse green head that remains light green and is less odoriferous after cooking; high quality, cooks faster than white cauliflower and does not turn brown. Adaptation: most white cauliflower growing areas. 1972.

Green Goddess (SSC-83) - Breeder and vendor: Shamrock. Characteristics: medium green colored cauliflower with exceptional uniformity for year round production. Similar: Alverda. 1992.

Guardian (PSX 518789) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed. Characteristics: uniform maturity, high quality dense and smooth curd. Similar: Unique. 1992.

Highlight (XP 4008) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated, mid-maturity, small plant type; high plant populations. Similar: February. Adaptation: United States and southern Europe. 1982.

Ice Age - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse. Characteristics: potential for nearly year round usage in California, tall plants with good leaf cover, curds massive, high quality, deep, white. Similar: Snow Crown. 1990.

Igloo - Breeder and vendor: Sunseeds. Characteristics: open pollinated, late season type, excellent wrapper leaves. Similar: Snowball Y. Adaptation: winter growing areas.

Incline (SCF 8601) - Breeder and vendor: Sakata. Characteristics: excellent inner and outer wrap protection. Similar: White Rock. 1985.

January 68 - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Characteristics: early January harvest; deeper, firmer than Christmas; broccoli-cauliflower type. Adaptation: California coastal areas. Ferry-Morse Seed Company, 1 April 1963. 1944.

Late Pearl - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Characteristics: planted for harvest in April and May; plants are large with waved leaves; heads white and well protected; broccoli-cauliflower type. Adaptation: California coastal areas. Ferry-Morse Seed Company, 5 April 1963. 1937.

Le Blanc (PS 618493) - Breeder: Doug Sousa. Vendor: Seminis-Petoseed. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: very white, refined, dense, rounded dome with excellent fresh quality and appearance. Resistance: downy mildew, verticillium. Similar: Trowman. Adaptation: California coast, desert southwest U.S., Mexico, Spain, Italy. 2000.

Majestic (NVH 1503) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup King Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, vigorous; heavy dome-shaped bead; break slowly. Resistance: tolerance to mildew. Similar: Snow Crown. Adaptation: all cauliflower producing areas. 1983.

March Late - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Characteristics: planted for late March harvest; produces fine, well-protected white heads; broccoli-cauliflower type. Adaptation: California coastal areas. Ferry-Morse Seed Company, 15 April 1963. 1943.

Mayflower (49 B 1) - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Parentage: unknown. Similar: Snowball Y but with more vigorous plants. Characteristics: plants medium to large; heads large, 6-6.5", deep, smooth, Snowball quality; matures 70 days; plant for late spring harvest. Adaptation: California, but should be tested elsewhere. Ferry-Morse Seed Company Desc. Catalog, 1963.

Minuteman (PSX 520389) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed. Characteristics: second early maturing, vigorous plant with strong self blanch and curd quality. Similar: Ravella. 1993.

Mits (SUNRE 8019) - Breeder and vendor: Sunseeds. Characteristics: Snowball Y type high yields excellent wrapper leaves, early and good uniformity. Similar: Snowball Y. 1989.

Olympus (XP 67) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Parentage: selection from Snowball Y. Characteristics: later than Snowball Y with larger wrapper leaves. Similar: Snowball Y. Adaptation: general. 1975.

Orange Bouquet - Breeder and vendor: Takii. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: orange curd cauliflower; very vigorous plant, early maturity. 1990.

Phoenix (BOS 5006) - Breeder: Joseph Stern. Vendor: Orsetti Seed Co. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: inner wrapper, extreme white color. Adaptation: summer, fall. 2000.

Polar Cap - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse. Characteristics: plants tall, vigorous, upright with excellent head wrapping, curds medium large, firm, deep, solid, white, performs best for spring or fall harvest. Similar: White Rock. 1990.

Polo (XP 4009) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated, uniform, firm white heads. Similar: February. 1984.

Pua Kea - Breeder: Vegetable Crops Department, University of Hawaii, Honolulu. Parentage: Early Market selection 3808-G-14-10. Characteristics: matures curds in 85 days; color is light cream when curds are exposed to the sun; upright plant habit; an Indian summer hot weather cauliflower; less tendency to button than other Indian lines. Adaptation: warm lowland conditions in Hawaii. Hawaii Farm Sci. 2(1) July, 1953. 1952.

Quasar (BOS 5044) - Breeder: Joseph Stern. Vendor: Orsetti Seed Co. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: early, domed, inner twisted jacket. Adaptation: summer, fall. 2001.

Rhapsody (BOS 5020) - Breeder and vendor: Orsetti Seed Co.  Adaptation: U.S.  2005.

Self-Blanche (MSU 512) - Breeder: Michigan State Agric. Expt. Serv., East Lansing. Parentage: derived from Winner Osenia. Characteristics: leaves adjacent to head wrap over head and protect it from light, greatest protection in cool weather. 1972.

Shasta (NVH 111510) - Breeder and vendor: Rogers Brothers. Characteristics: midseason 72 day maturity, white high domed heads, large plant with good protection. Similar: Ravella. 1993.

Silver Star (type 1965) - Breeder and vendor: Rijk Zwaan B.V. Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated, dark green, erect leaves; well protected, white flowering head. Adaptation: wide. 1980.

Silver Streak (XPH 5105) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow. Characteristics: early maturity with large plant size and broad, semi-crinkled leaves; curd has good size and depth, with good solidity. Adaptation: warmer climates. Similar: White Cloud. 1988.

Snow Crown - Breeder and vendor: Takii. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: medium size plant, very early maturity, semi-dome head shape, best in early summer or fall harvest seasons. 1975.

Snow March - Breeder and vendor: Takii. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: tall, upright plant frame, late maturing winter type, dome head shape with good curd cover. Adaptation: performs best in late winter to spring harvest seasons. 1980.

Snow Mystique (525) - Breeder and vendor: Takii. Similar: White Rock. 1993.

Snow Star (XP 824) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow. Characteristics: very full season, overwinter. Similar: February. 1983.

Snowball 42 (no. 42) - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated, more concentrated maturity than Snowball Y, deep white curd that holds well. Similar: Snowball Y. Adaptation: coastal California, probably other areas. 1975.

Snowball 76 (no. 76) - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated, more concentrated maturity than Snowball X. Similar: Snowball X. Adaptation: California.

Snowball 421 - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Characteristics: compact plant with large erect leaves; maturity not concentrated; curds close to Snowball quality and have good protection. Similar: Helios. Adaptation: west coast of the United States and Texas. Ferry-Morse Seed Company, 15 April 1963. 1961.

Snowball E - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Characteristics: uniform, early maturing; large curds of good quality. Similar: Snowball X. Adaptation: eastern United Sates and Texas. Ferry-Morse Seed Company, 15 April 1963. 1952.

Snowball M - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Parentage: Snowball X. Characteristics: early, large heads; uniform in maturity. Similar: Snowball X. Adaptation: wide. 1947.

Snowball T-1 - Breeder and vendor: Dessert Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated. Similar: Snowball types. Adaptation: southern California desert.

Snowball T-2 - Breeder and vendor: Dessert Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated. Similar: Snowball types. Adaptation: southern California desert.

Snowball T-3 - Breeder and vendor: Dessert Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated. Similar: Snowball types. Adaptation: southern California desert.

Snowball T-4 - Breeder and vendor: Dessert Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated. Similar: Snowball types.

Snowball X - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Parentage: selection from midseason Snowball type. Similar: Perfected Snowball. Characteristics: large, smooth heads; good vigor. Adaptation: wide. 1941.

Snowball Y - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Company, Mountain View, California. Parentage: Snowball X. Characteristics: later season than Snowball "X", heads deep, very solid and smooth. Similar: Snowball X. Adaptation: wide. 1947.

Snowcap (Stokes Super Jr.) - Breeder and vendor: Stokes Seeds, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. Parentage: selection from Snowball 16. Characteristics: early Erfurt type, uniform cutting. Adaptation: Northeastern United States and Canada. Stokes Catalog. 1943.

Snowcone (FM 47) - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse. Characteristics: medium large plants, about one week earlier than Snowball Y, thick semi-domed white curds. Similar: Snowball X. 1990.

Snowflower (XP 64) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Characteristics: earlier maturing strain of Snowball Y, matures between Monarch and Snowball Y. Similar: Snowball Y. Adaptation: general. 1973.

Solide - Breeder and vendor: Enza Zaden. 1984.

Stardust (PSX 5188589) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed. Characteristics: large plants produce high quality pure white heads, semi-self blanch medium season to late maturity. 1993.

Starlight - Breeder and vendor: Abbott & Cobb. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, main season maturity; upright plant habit; withstands adverse weather. Similar: Snowball. Adaptation: wide. 1976.

Stovepipe (817) - Breeder and vendor: Michigan Agric. Expt. Sta. Vendor: Moran Seeds and others. Parentage: (Puakea x Snowball M) x Self-Blanche. Characteristics: open pollinated, keaf leaf or erect early leaf; holds well at 90-95° F. Adaptation: wide. 1981.

Summer Streak (NA 11) - Vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds-Asgrow. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: early season, firm and compact heads, very white color, can be used for processor/freezer and fresh market; unique appearance. Adaptation: Brazil. 2002.

Symphony (RCF1515) - Breeder and vendor: Rogers. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: vigorous, upright plant, early maturity, white, domed and dense heads, tight curd cover, suitable for fresh and processed use. Adaptation: late summer and fall coastal California harvest seasons. 1997.

Taurus (BOS 5021) - Breeder: Joseph Stern. Vendor: Orsetti Seed Co. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: small outer frame, excellent twisted inner frame, later maturity. Adaptation: fall, summer, spring. 2000.

Titan (BOS 5009) - Breeder: Joseph Stern. Vendor: Orsetti Seed Co. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: very large frame plant, inner wrapper. Adaptation: winter, spring, summer and fall. 1999.

Vail (FMX 88) - Breeder: Ferry-Morse. Vendor: Henderson. Characteristics: head is large white smooth and domed, high quality curd is protected by good self wrap. Similar: White Rock, Ravella. 1995.

Venus (BOS 5005) - Breeder: Joseph Stern. Vendor: Orsetti Seed Co. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: inner wrapper, deep dome, early cultivar. Adaptation: late spring, early summer. 1999.

Violet Queen - Breeder and vendor: Takii. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: purple curd cauliflower; tall upright plant. Adaptation: best suited for fall harvest. 1985.

Vordi (HMX 3176) - Breeder: Clause. Vendor: Harris Moran Seed Co. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: green cauliflower. 1997.

Wentworth (PS 800197) - Breeder: Paul Lilley. Vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds-Petoseed. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: 117 days, erect plant, similar in maturity to Ravella and Fremont. Similar: Ravella, Fremont. Adaptation: northeast U.S., southeast Canada. 1997.

Whistler (PX 514481) - Vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: main season type; lare plant with good wrapping habit; smooth dome head with excellent white color and weight. Similar: Apex, Attribute, Freemont, Freedom. Adaptation: NAFTA - northeast U.S., main season. 2004.

White Cloud (XP 5141) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow. Characteristics: early maturity with deep, white curd which is well protected by inner leaves that cap the curd closely. Similar: Blue Diamond. 1986.

White Elite (S 107) - Breeder and vendor: Sakata. Characteristics: F1 hybrid cauliflower for the commercial grower yielding a heavy curb with good self-wrap. 1994.

White Empress (MUS 812) - Breeder and vendor: Michigan Agric. Expt. Sta. Vendor: Moran Seeds and others. Parentage: Puakea x Snowball M) x Self-Blanche. Characteristics: open pollinated, earlier than Self-Blanche; good quality curds; stands high temperatures; free of leaf curds. Adaptation: wide. 1979.

White Excel (SCF7402) - Breeder and vendor: Sakata. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: large plant, midseason maturity, white, very dense and domed head, excellent curd cover; suitable for fresh market. 1998.

White Magic - Breeder and vendor: Sakata. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: extra-large upright plant, white, domed and heavy head, excellent curd cover; suitable for fresh market. 1992.

White Passion - Breeder and vendor: Sakata. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: large upright plant, early to midseason maturity, white, domed head, tight and heavy curd, and excellent curd cover; suitable for fresh market. 1994.

White Rock - Breeder and vendor: Rogers. Parentage: open pollinated. Characteristics: compact plant frame, midseason maturity, high dome head shape, white, very dense and smooth heads, good curd cover. Adaptation: wide; standard cultivar for over-wintering in coastal California in late 1980s and early 1990s. 1985.

Yukon (SCF 8501) - Breeder and vendor: Sakata. Characteristics: large plant frame with uniform white heads. Similar: Silver Star. 1987.