The Brassica family (Brassicaceae) is a medium-sized and economically important family (genus) of flowering plants. The members of the genus are informally known as cruciferous vegetables (crucifers), cabbages (cabbage family), or mustard plants (mustards). Crops from this genus are sometimes also called cole crops—derived from the Latin caulis, denoting the stem or stalk of a plant. White mustard (Sinapis alba) is commonly used as a cover crop. See also Alyssum.