What in the world is a field of yellow flowering Rapeseeds?!
Well, I’m going to tell you!
Rapeseeds are also known as canola which as you might guess is where we get canola oil! Yes, this bright yellow flower is a member of the mustard or cabbage family and is used to produce canola oil for cooking.
Did you know that the main reason Rapeseeds are cultivated is for the oil-rich seed AND it is the third largest source of vegetable oil in the whole world?!
No?
Well you do now!
The first record of Rapeseeds in English documents was at the end of the 14th century. That was a long time ago, so these little yellow flowers have been around for a very long time.
So we went driving not too far from Shockoe Bottoms which is an area in Richmond, Virginia, just east of downtown, along the James River. Much to my surprise was this large field of the BRIGHTEST yellow flowers I think I’ve ever seen. There were rows and rows and rows of these beautiful little Rapeseed flowers behind a fenced and gated field.
Next to the Rapeseed flowers a different kind of bright yellow flower was growing wild.
Buttercups!
Of course, I couldn’t resist taking pictures of the Buttercups and feeling nostalgic about my lovely mother.
Then it was time to pose.
Posing wasn’t hard. Keeping my eyes open with the bright sun shining in them was hard!
It was a “good hair day,” but I’m not sure I like this shirt anymore.
Anyway, LOOK AT ALL THE RAPESEED FLOWERS BEHIND ME!!!
Can you believe it?
They were so BRIGHT!
The stems and leaves of the Rapeseed plants are also edible.
Guess what they are related to in taste?
Give up?
The Rapeseed stems and leaves are like bok choy or kale.
Not really my favorite tastes. Just saying.
I also thought this was an awesome tree.
The Rapeseed flowers produce a whole lot of nectar. I’m so glad that I didn’t see a bunch of honeybees! The honey that is produced from the Rapeseed flowers is light-colored and produces a honey that is peppery. Usually this honey is mixed with other honey and used in bakeries.
It was a lovely little trip that I thoroughly enjoyed. I had no idea that so many of these beautiful flowers were not far from downtown Richmond and it was such a wonderful surprise to discover them.
Pretty field of flowers don’t you think?
Yeah, the flowers are beautiful, too.
🙂 Thank you Jerel! 🙂
So that’s where my canola oil comes from, Rapeseeds. I had no idea that Rapeseeds were bright yellow flowers and were a member of the mustard or cabbage family. See all the interesting things I learn by reading your blog! 🙂
And you were right, Sherry. You were definitely having a good hair day. And the rest of you looks beautiful too! 🙂
😀 So you DID learn something! 😀
I felt like it was a good hair day! Thank you Joan!
Beautiful pictures. I love Richmond but haven’t been there in over ten years. I’ll be on the lookout for these flowers as I drive around various states. I live in North Carolina and wonder if this flower grows here so I’ll do some checking on the web to make that determination. Thanks again.
Wayne
Thank you, Wayne! Let me know if you find fields in NC.
Hi, Sherry. I love this post! And you look beautiful in these photos. (I wish you would post more photos with yourself in the shot.) Thanks so much for posting. -TimK
THANK YOU SO MUCH Tim!!! You’re always so sweet! I will try to include myself in more photos. 🙂
Very nice Sherry….. : ) and your story too…. Miss you girl! : ( Although I see you still have plenty of time
to wonder around the country side!?
Thanks Don! I miss you and our lunches!!! {{{hugsss}}}
Hi I am getting my family portraits done in a few weeks an ive been looking for a place with a large field with flowers or tall grass for our portraits! This popped up and it’s perfect! Do you think the owners would let us in for some pictures?
I’m not sure if you can get past the locked gates and I think the guy who was mowing the grass outside the fence said they would harvest it in a few weeks. So going by that timing, a few weeks from now may be too late.
The fields are just a little past where they used to dock the Annabelle Lee. Remember that boat?
Hi Sherry, what a wonderful picture!
I love this yellow fields very much but did not know how to search for it since I don’t know the name. Because of you, now I know its name is Rapeseeds. Would you please to give me the address of this beautiful field? I used to live in Richmond but have moved to North Virginia.
Thank you very much!
Thank you Jenny! I don’t know the address. It was do a little south of downtown not too far from where the river cruise used to be located. 🙂
opps, its name is canola .
🙂 Jenny the rapeseeds are turned into canola oil, so you’re right on both counts. 😀
I have wondered what these BEAUTIFUL flowers were
Ever since moving here from Florida…not many residents know what they are know what they are seeing!
Thanks,
John
Boones Mill, Va