Beta
Goosefoot family
Chenopodiaceae
Bee'ta. About 12 species of Old World herbs, and including the Garden Beet and Ornamental Chard.
Description
Flowers greenish, in spikes or panicles, without petals, and extremely simple. Leaves simple and oblongish, in a basal rosette or alternate on the stem; often red-stalked. Fruit an aggregate of 2 or more flowers joined together at the base and forming a dry, corky cluster, called a seed ball.
How to Grow
Wash seed balls in detergent, rinse well, and soak for 2 or 3 hours. For continuous foliage, sow the seed balls in the garden in late spring and again in late summer. Space seeds 2-3 in. (5.0-7.5 cm) apart in rows 24 in. (60 cm) apart and cover with ƈ in. (6 mm) of sand. Thin plants to 6 in. (15 cm) apart. Plants do best in cooler areas.
Beta vulgaris'Ruby Chard'
Rhubarb Beet
;
Chard
. 12-14 in. (30-35 cm) high, with large, puckered, purplish leaves and red or purple stems. Leaves edible. Eurasia. Biennial grown as a half-hardy annual.
