Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Beta L., Sp. Pl. 222 (1753)
 Description

Annual, biennial or perennial herbs, glabrous or nearly so. Stems green, yellowish or red. Lvs alternate, flat or rugose, entire or nearly so; basal lvs long-petiolate, often large. Fls ☿, 1-few in cymes; cymes in spicate infls. Bracteoles 2. Perianth segments 5, usually green, incurved, thickening and hardening towards base at fruiting. Stamens 5. Ovary semi-inferior. Stigmas 2–3. Frs often adhering together by the enlarged perianth, the whole fruiting mass or glomerule forming a hard mass. Seed 1, horizontal, tightly enclosed in covering mainly formed by perianth.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Beta L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised1
Total1
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.