dinosaur ___, vegetable so-named for its bumpy green texture

The missing word is “kale.”

Quick answer

• The full phrase is “dinosaur kale,” a type of kale with dark, bumpy green leaves.

• It is also known as Lacinato kale or Tuscan kale , and its pebbly, ridged texture is what inspired the “dinosaur” nickname.

Why it fits the clue

• The clue asks for “Dinosaur ___, vegetable so-named for its bumpy green texture,” which points to the common produce term “dinosaur kale.”

• Crossword archives list the official 4-letter answer for this clue as KALE , matching both the word length and the vegetable description.

A bit about dinosaur kale

• Dinosaur kale has long, narrow, blue‑green leaves with a distinctive bumpy or embossed surface, often described as resembling imagined dinosaur skin.

• It tends to be more tender and slightly sweeter than curly kale, and is popular in soups, sautés, and salads.

Answer for the blank: KALE.