Broccoli vs. Spinach — What's the Difference?

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is an edible green plant in the cabbage family (family Brassicaceae, genus Brassica) whose large flowering head, stalk and small associated leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae.

A plant (Brassica oleracea var. italica) in the mustard family, having dense clusters of numerous green flower buds.

An edible Asian plant of the goosefoot family, with large dark green leaves which are widely eaten as a vegetable.

The flower clusters of this plant, eaten as a vegetable before the flower buds open.

An annual plant (Spinacia oleracea) native to southwest Asia, widely cultivated for its succulent edible leaves.

A plant, Brassica oleracea var. italica, of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae; especially, the tree-shaped flower and stalk that are eaten as a vegetable.

The leaves of this plant, eaten as a vegetable.

Marijuana.

A particular edible plant, Spinacia oleracea, or its leaves.

A plant of the Cabbage species (Brassica oleracea) of many varieties, resembling the cauliflower. The "curd," or flowering head, is the part used for food.

Any of numerous plants, or their leaves, which are used for greens in the same way Spinacia oleraceae is.

Plant with dense clusters of tight green flower buds

Chinese spinach, red spinach (Amaranthus dubius)

Branched green undeveloped flower heads

Malabar spinach red vine spinach, creeping spinach, climbing spinach, vine spinach, buffalo spinach, Ceylon spinach (Basella alba)

(Atriplex hortensis)

(Brassica juncea)

New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides, syn. Tetragonia expansa)

(Gynura bicolor)

(Alternanthera sissoo)

(Chenopodium capitatum)

Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica)

(South Africa) wild spinach, African spinach (various nightshade, legume, and Cucurbitaceae species)

, perpetual spinach (Beta vulgaris: chard)

(Cleome serrulata)

Lincolnshire spinach (Blitum bonus-henricus, syn. Chenopodium bonus-henricus: Good King Henry)

, mountain spinach (Atriplex spp., Chenopodium rubrum)

(Rumex acetosa: common sorrel, garden sorrel)

Tree spinach:

(Claytonia perfoliata, syn. Montia perfoliata)

Plants with spinach-like leaves that are noxious in some way

(Emex australis), which bears thorny seeds

(Trianthema triquetra)

Plants with spinach-like leaves that have medicinal use

, Mollucan spinach (Gynura nepalensis)

A common pot herb (Spinacia oleracea) belonging to the Goosefoot family.

Southwestern Asian plant widely cultivated for its succulent edible dark green leaves

Dark green leaves; eaten cooked or raw in salads