Beta vulgaris (Leaf Beet Group)

Botanical Description

Beta vulgaris (Leaf Beet Group) is an erect, biennial plant producing a rosette of leaves around 60cm tall, with a flowering stem that can be 150cm or more tall. Spinach beet and the various chards are often grown in gardens for their edible leaves and leafstalks. They are seldom grown commercially because of the difficulty in transporting them to market before they wilt. There are also forms with colourful leaves that are grown as ornamentals.