Main Difference
The main difference between Turnip and Rutabaga is that the Turnip is a root vegetable and Rutabaga is a subspecies of plant.
Turnip
The turnip or white turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, bulbous taproot. The word turnip is a compound of tur- as in turned/rounded on a lathe and neep, derived from Latin napus, the word for the plant. Small, tender varieties are grown for human consumption, while larger varieties are grown as feed for livestock. In the north of England, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall and eastern Canada (Newfoundland), turnip (or neep) often refers to rutabaga, a larger, yellow root vegetable in the same genus (Brassica) also known as swede (from “Swedish turnip”).
Rutabaga
The rutabaga (/ˌruː.t̬əˈbeɪ.ɡə/) (“North American” English/some Canadian), swede (some Commonwealth English), neep (Scottish), turnip (in some Canadian English and Northern English) or snagger (Northern English), also called by several other names in different regions (including turnip, though this elsewhere usually refers to the “white turnip”), is a root vegetable that originated as a cross between the cabbage and the turnip. The roots are eaten in a variety of ways, and the leaves can be eaten as a leaf vegetable. The roots and tops are also used for livestock, either fed directly in the winter or foraged in the field during the other seasons. Scotland, Northern England, West England and Ireland have a tradition of carving the roots into lanterns at Halloween.
Turnip (noun)
The white root of a yellow-flowered plant, Brassica rapa, grown as a vegetable and as fodder for cattle.
Turnip (noun)
The yellow root of a related plant, the swede or Brassica napus.
Turnip (noun)
A large, heavy pocket watch, so called because its profile resembled the vegetable.
Turnip (verb)
To plant with turnips.
Turnip (verb)
To feed or graze (livestock) on turnips.
Rutabaga (noun)
the swede, or Swedish turnip; the European plant Brassica napus var. napobrassica
Rutabaga (noun)
the edible root of this plant
Turnip (noun)
a round root with white or cream flesh which is eaten as a vegetable and also has edible leaves.
Turnip (noun)
a root that is similar or related to the turnip, especially a swede.
Turnip (noun)
the European plant of the cabbage family which produces the turnip.
Turnip (noun)
a large, thick, old-fashioned watch.