The Collaborative International Dictionary
napa \napa\ n. A plant ( Brassica rapa pekinensis) with an elongated celerylike head of broadstalked leaves used as a vegetable in east Asia; called also Chinese cabbage.
Syn: Chinese cabbage, celery cabbage, pe-tsai, Brassica rapa pekinensis.
Wikipedia
Chinese cabbage ( Brassica rapa, subspecies pekinensis and chinensis) can refer to two groups of Chinese leaf vegetables often used in Chinese cuisine: the Pekinensis Group ( napa cabbage) and the Chinensis Group ( bok choy).
These vegetables are both variant cultivars or subspecies of the turnip and belong to the same genus as such Western staples as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Both have many variations in name, spelling, and scientific classification, especially the bok choy (B. rapa chinensis) variety.
Usage examples of "chinese cabbage".
Thus, from the first night, Nyuk Tsin stumbled upon the system she was to follow for many years: taro for the Hawaiians, Chinese cabbage and peas for the Orientals, lima beans, string beans and Irish potatoes for the haoles.
Tonight we are eating steamed fish, served whole, the head and tail intact, the fish eyes glistening blankly, with plain boiled rice and lots of vegetables bean curd, baby corn, bean sprouts, Chinese cabbage and mushrooms.
She cooked with her bare hands, hands stained with juice and blood and the liquid-like patches of burn-scars as multi-wrinkled as Chinese cabbage.