Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla L.
Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot Family)
Europe
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Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla L.Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot Family)Europe
Chard |
May Photo
Plant Characteristics:
Biennial, sometimes annual; stems 3-12 dm. tall, paniculately branched
above; lvs. alternate, the lower blades 1-2 dm. long with much enlarged midrib
and wide fleshy petiole; fls. perfect, in glomerules of 3 or more in panicled
spikes; calyx 5 parted, the segms. narrow-oblong, ca. 2 mm. long, carinate in
fr.; stamens 5; ovary sunk in the succulent base of the calyx; styles 2-3; fr.
ca. 2.5 mm. long, somewhat wider, ultimately opening by a lid
Habitat:
Escape from gardens where it is grown as a pot-herb.
Blooms April-June in our area.
Name:
Be-ta, Latin name of the beet.
(Bailey 353). Latin, vulgaris,
common. (Jaeger 283).
Cicla is a geographical name,
connected with Sicily. (Bailey
353).
General:
Rare in the study area having been found only once and this easterly of
the Delhi Ditch, in the Santa Ana Heights area, at marsh level. Variety cicla,
the leaf beet is without the fleshy root, and the lvs. are much developed; in
some races the foliage is highly colored, and the plants are grown for ornament;
in others, as Swiss Chard, the midrib is much enlarged, and plants are grown as
pot-herbs. (Bailey 353).
Text Ref:
Bailey 353; Munz, Flora So. Calif.
359.
Photo Ref:
May-Aug 94 # 9,10,11,13.
Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.
First Found: May 1994.
Computer Ref: Plant Data 470.
No plant specimen.
Last edit 12/17/03.
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