Beta vulgaris L.

Glabrous or almost glabrous annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial herb. Taproot stout, but not usually strongly thickened. Basal lvs usually forming rosette at first. Petiole to c. 20 cm long; lamina very variable according to habitat, usually to 20 × 15 cm, ovate or oblong-ovate, glossy, puckered or bullate; margin undulate; base generally cordate. Flowering stems 30–100 cm high, with few to many branches; cymes 1–4-flowered, dense above, more interrupted towards base of stem; lvs and leaflike bracts smaller and more linear toward top of stem, often scarcely > glomerules. Perianth segments 1.7–2.5 mm long, oblong, green with hyaline margin, incurved, scarcely accrescent. Stamens included. Fruiting ovary 2–4 mm across top, flat, orbicular. Seed deep glossy brown.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.