Not exactly, the Swede is just another turnip as is White Lady, Purple Top White Globe, Laurentian Canada and Rutabaga (more commonly known in England and Scotland as Swede Turnips.
The Rutabaga's (Swede) are not a preferred type to grow on the west coast as they take longer to mature. We usually plant the Laurentian (very similar to the Swede) and it is the most widely used Rutabaga in North America.
Come Burns night, if the Swede or Laurentian turnips aren't available, a white turnip is used and mashed with carrots cooked at the same time to give it a colour more like a Swede turnip. And as with most Burns nights I have ever attended, nobody is in shape to recognize what they have eaten anyway.
So yes, Neeps are Rutabagas which are Swedes which are turnips.
George
Breb Assyl
