Scientific Name:
Beta vulgaris
(Cicla Group)
Pronunciation:
BET-ah vul-GAIR-iss
Common Name:
Swiss chard
Family Name:
Amaranthaceae
Plant Type:
Annual, Biennial
Key ID Features:
Leaf blades >45cm long, ruffled, puckered, red-orange-yellow-green, thick midribs and petioles.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Pyramidal - narrowly
Texture:
Very coarse
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe (Mediterranean)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Landscape Uses:
Urban agriculture
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Heavily veined, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Lustrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Yellow, Red, vein frequently red
Shapes:
Elliptic, Ovate
Apices:
Acute, Rounded
Bases:
Rounded, Truncate
Margins:
Crenate
Additional Info:
edible
Inflorescence Type:
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Campanulate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, Green
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May
Fruit Type:
Multiple fruit
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jun
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant,
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Storage tap root
Propagation:
Seed
