Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Amaranthaceae ⟩ Beta vulgaris / beet

Beta vulgaris L.

beet (Amaranthaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencyS
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla is an upright weed of waste ground.

Basingstoke (VC12: North Hampshire); 2014-05-30

 beet / Beta vulgaris: _Beta vulgaris_ subsp. _cicla_ is an upright weed of waste ground.

Beetroot is a cultivated form of Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, as are sugar beet and mangelwurzel.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-08-05

 beet / Beta vulgaris: Beetroot is a cultivated form of _Beta vulgaris_ subsp. _vulgaris_, as are sugar beet and mangelwurzel.

The native subspecies, Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima, is a sprawling coastal plant.

Portsmouth (VC11: South Hampshire); 2015-06-09

 beet / Beta vulgaris: The native subspecies, _Beta vulgaris_ subsp. _maritima_, is a sprawling coastal plant.

The flowers of Beta vulgaris typically have 2 stigmas, although there are 3 in this specimen.

Valley (VC52: Anglesey); 2015-10-09

 beet / Beta vulgaris: The flowers of _Beta vulgaris_ typically have 2 stigmas, although there are 3 in this specimen.

The fruits of Beta vulgaris are irregularly shaped and woody, and contain several seeds each.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2017-05-01

 beet / Beta vulgaris: The fruits of _Beta vulgaris_ are irregularly shaped and woody, and contain several seeds each.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne