"c. abyssinica" has its origins in eastern africa and was domesticated in the mediterranean region. it grows up to a height between 0.5 and 2m, depending on field conditions. its cropping cycle is rather short, ranging from 90 to 100 days. usually, its straight stalk is moderately branched and its leaves are of an oval shape. the plant’s flowers are small and white, arranged in racemes and have four free sepals, four free alternating petals, two shorter and four longer free stamens, what is typical for brassicaceae. mostly, these flowers are self-pollinated, but some cases of cross-pollination have been observed. its indehiscent fruits enclose only one spherical seed that contains around 26% protein, 18% fibre and 35% oil. this oil content is lower than what can be extracted from rapeseed and the oil is not edible. the pericarp of the seed usually adheres to the seed even at harvest.