SLIDE 1: Wisconsin Fast Plants, rapid-cycling brassicas, are part of a large family of plants called crucifers (Latin:Cruciferae). Crucifers are named, and easily distinguished, because of the characteristic shape of their flowers - four petals in the shape of a cross or crucifix. One of the sections, or genus, of the crucifer family is the genus Brassica. The flower on the left is typical in color and shape of the brassicas. The one on the right without petals is one of the special mutant stocks of the Wisconsin Fast Plants which have been developed by Paul H. Williams, Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.