Rapeseed, botanically brassica napus, is a flowering member of the family Brassicaceae. It is also known by the names of rape, oilseed rape, rapa, rapaseed and canola. Its name is originated from the Latin word for turnip, rāpum or rāpa, and is first recorded in English at the end of the 14th century. This bright yellow flowering plant is widely cultivated in Canada, the United States, Australia, China, India and European countries for the production of animal feed, vegetable oil for human consumption, and biodiesel.