Common Beet

(Beta vulgaris)

Common Beet (Beta vulgaris)

Forest and Kim Starr

CC BY 2.0

Image By: Forest and Kim Starr

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Starr Environmental | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Beta vulgaris, commonly known as Common Beet or Beetroot, is an annual or biennial herb native to coastal areas and saline soils in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Western and South Asia. It has been cultivated for its edible roots and leaves. The plant can reach up to 120 cm in height, with cultivated forms typically being biennial. Beetroot’s appearance is characterized by its swollen, fleshy roots that come in dark red, white, or yellow colors. The stems are erect or can be procumbent in wild forms, with simple or branched structures in the upper part, and a ribbed and striate surface. Flowers are produced in dense, spike-like, basally interrupted inflorescences. The flowering season is summer, and while the flowers are not particularly showy, they are of interest to pollinators.

Beetroots are valued for their nutritious roots, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are commonly used in culinary applications, from salads to pickles, and their leaves, known as beet greens, are also edible. In cultivation, they are appreciated for their ease of growth and ability to thrive in a range of conditions, including poor soils. Beetroots are often grown in vegetable gardens, allotments, and as part of crop rotation schemes. They require full sun or part shade, consistent moisture, and well-drained soils with a pH-neutral to slightly alkaline composition. Beetroot can suffer from leaf spot, root rot, and pests like aphids and leaf miners. It is important to rotate crops to prevent soil-borne diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 1-1.5 feet
Width: 1.5-2 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Border Plant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant

Natural Habitat

Coastal areas and saline soils

Other Names

Common Names: Beet , Betys , Betysen , Bede , Rübe , Betterave , Bete , Strandbiet , Biet , Biet + Strandbiet

Scientific Names: Beta vulgaris , Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla , Beta cicla , Beta vulgaris var. crassa , Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera , Beta vulgaris var. rosea , Beta vulgaris subsp. lomatogonoides , Beta vulgaris var. lutea , Beta vulgaris var. debeauxii , Beta vulgaris var. glabra

GBIF Accepted Name: Beta vulgaris L.