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Beta vulgaris craca - Alef.

Beetroot

Author	Alef.	Botanical references	200
Family	Chenopodiaceae	Genus	Beta
Synonyms
Known Hazards	None known
Range	A cultivated form of B. vulgaris maritima that is grown for its edible root.
Habitat	Not known in a truly wild situation.
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Biennial growing to 0.9m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves; Root.

Root - raw or cooked[2, 16, 27, 132]. Well-grown roots are sweet and tender, especially when young, and can be grated and used in salads. Beetroots are traditionally boiled until tender then pickled in vinegar and used in salads. The roots can also be cooked and used as a vegetable, they are sweet and delicious when baked[K]. The root contains up to 8% sugar[143]. The root is tasteless when grown on very wet soils and dry when grown on clay soils[132]. Immature roots can be harvested in the summer and early autumn for immediate use, these are usually much more tender than the older roots[K]. Mature roots can be left in the ground all winter and harvested as required, though they might suffer damage in severe winters[K]. Alternatively, they are harvested in late autumn or early winter and will store for up to 6 months in a cool but not dry frost-free place[K]. Leaves - raw or cooked like spinach[183]. A reasonable spinach substitute, though harvesting leaves from growing plants can reduce yields of the roots[K]. Some people dislike the raw leaves since they can leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth[K]. A nutritional analysis is available[218].

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Leaves (Fresh weight)

• 45 Calories per 100g
• Water: 86.4%
• Protein: 3.2g; Fat: 0.4g; Carbohydrate: 8.1g; Fibre: 3.8g; Ash: 1.9g;
• Minerals - Calcium: 114mg; Phosphorus: 34mg; Iron: 3.1mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
• Vitamins - A: 3152mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.07mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.22mg; Niacin: 0.6mg; B6: 0mg; C: 50mg;
• Reference: [218]
• Notes: The figures for Vitamin a are said to be milligrammes.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antitumor; Carminative; Emmenagogue; Haemostatic; Stomachic; Tonic.

Although little used in modern herbalism, beet has a long history of folk use, especially in the treatment of tumours[269]. The root of white-rooted forms contain betaine which promotes the regeneration of liver cells and the metabolism of fat cells[254]. The root of red-rooted forms contains betanin - an anthocyanin similar to those found in red wine - which is partly responsible for red beet's immune-enhancing effect[254]. The root is carminative, haemostatic, stomachic and a tonic for women[218]. The root can be used as part of the diet, or the juice can be extracted and used as a health-promoting drink[254]. At least one litre of the juice from red-rooted forms must be taken each day in order to stimulate the immune system[254]. The juice is prescribed by herbalists as part of a cancer-treatment regime[254]. A decoction prepared from the seed has been used as a remedy for tumours of the intestines. The seed, boiled in water, is said to cure genital tumours[269]. The juice or other parts of the plant is said to help in the treatment of tumours, leukaemia and other forms of cancer such as cancer of the breast, oesophagus, glands, head, intestines, leg, lip, lung, prostate, rectum, spleen, stomach, and uterus[269]. Some figure that betacyanin and anthocyanin are important in the exchange of substances of cancer cells; others note two main components of the amines, choline and its oxidation product betaine, whose absence produces tumours in mice[269]. The juice has been applied to ulcers[269]. A decoction is used as a purgative by those who suffer from haemorrhoids in South Africa[269]. Leaves and roots used as an emmenagogue[269]. Plant effective in the treatment of feline ascariasis[269]. In the old days, beet juice was recommended as a remedy for anaemia and yellow jaundice, and, put into the nostrils to purge the head, clear ringing ears, and alleviate toothache[269]. Beet juice in vinegar was said to rid the scalp of dandruff as scurf, and was recommended to prevent falling hair[269].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in sun or light shade in moist soils but prefers a rich well-drained light neutral to alkaline soil[33, 37]. Beets grow well in a variety of soils, growing best in a deep, friable well-drained soil abundant with organic matter, but doing poorly on clay. They prefer an open position and a light well-drained soil[52]. The optimum pH is 6.0 - 6.8, but neutral and alkaline soils are tolerated in some areas. Some salinity may be tolerated after the seedling stage. Beets are notable for their tolerance to manganese toxicity[269]. Beet is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation of 23 to 315cm, an average annual temperature range of 5.0 to 26.6°C and a pH of 4.2 to 8.2[269]. Plants are tolerant of saline soils and respond positively if salt is added to non-saline soils at a rate of about 30g per square metre[264]. Beetroot plants are generally hardy in Britain and can be left outdoors in the soil in most winters, though prolonged cold weather or severe winters can damage the roots. If the plants are exposed to prolonged temperatures below -10°c they will quickly run to seed[200]. This also applies to the young plants of most beetroot varieties if they are sown in early spring - a short period where temperatures fall below zero can fool the plant into believing that there has been a winter and it will then try to flower and produce seed. There are, however, come varieties, such as 'Bolthardy', that are more resistant to bolting and so more suited to these early sowings[200, 264]. The beetroot is widely cultivated, especially in temperate zones, for its edible root. There are two basic forms, those with rounded roots and those with elongated roots with many named varieties of each form. The roots can be available all year round from successional sowings. A fast-growing plant, some cultivars can produce a root ready for harvesting within 7 weeks from sowing the seed[264]. Most beetroot seed is actually a cluster of several seeds, though monogerm varieties have been produced that only have one seed - these monogerm varieties are less likely to require thinning once they have germinated[264]. A good companion for dwarf beans, onions and kohl rabi[18, 201]. Its growth is inhibited by runner beans, charlock and field mustard[18, 201].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soaking for 12 hours in warm water prior to sowing encourages mare rapid and even germination[264]. For the earliest crop, ready to harvest in late spring, sow the seed in situ in late February or early March, giving it some protection such as a cloche. The first outdoor sowings can be made in March in situ to provide a crop from early summer onwards. For both of these sowings it is important to choose varieties that are resistant to bolting in case there is a cold spell in the spring. Sowings for the main crop can be made in April to early June to provide roots for autumn, winter and early spring use. Late sowings of fast maturing varieties can be made in June and early July in order to provide fresh young roots in the autumn.

Cultivars

'Albinia Verecunda'

An old variety, the round roots have a very sweet flavour[264].

'Barbietola de Chioggia'

An old Italian variety, the round root has alternating white and red rings when it is eaten raw, though it turns pale pink once it is cooked[264]. The flavour has been variously described as being delicious or horrible - it is most likely that the young root is delicious but becomes less desireable with age[264].

'Bolthardy'

A fast-maturing form with a round root, it is resistant to the bolting caused by cold spring weather and so is suitable for the earliest sowings[264].

'Burpee's Golden'

The round roots are golden yellow in colour, though their flavour is similar to the red cultivars[264].

'Cylindra'

A long rooted form with dark red roots[264]. It is suitable for sowing as a main crop for winter use.

'Detroit Little Ball'

A fast-growing bolt-resistant early maturing variety, it can be sown in early spring to produce an early summer harvest[264]. The round root has distinctive pale rings[264].

'MacGregor's Favourite'

An old Scottish cultivar with a long deep red root[264]. It is best suited as a maincrop for winter use.

'Monogram'

This cultivar produces monogerm seed, thus there is only one plant that can germinate from each seed which greatly reduces the need to thin the plants. It produces a root that is is a flattened sphere and is also resistant to bolting which makes it suitable for sowing as an early crop[264].

'Monopoly'

This cultivar produces monogerm seed, thus there is only one plant that can germinate from each seed which greatly reduces the need to thin the plants. It produces a purplish-red root that is is a flattened sphere and is also resistant to bolting which makes it suitable for sowing as an early crop[264].

'Regala'

The small-leaves variety with a round, purplish-red root that has fairly distinctive zones. It is resistant to bolting[264].

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[16] Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0
A good guide to growing vegetables in temperate areas, not entirely organic.

[18] Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979
Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.

[27] Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press 0 ISBN 0-89815-041-8
A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable varieties. Not really that informative though.

[33] Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960
Unusual vegetables that can be grown outdoors in Britain. A good guide.

[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.

[52] Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980
A good and comprehensive guide to temperate salad plants, with full organic details of cultivation.

[132] Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. 0
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.

[143] Woodcock. and Coutts. Lilies - Their Culture and Management. Country Life 1935
A classic, but dated. Deals with the genus Lilium.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

[264] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Vegetables Macmillan Reference Books, London. 1995 ISBN 0 333 62640 0
Excellent and easily read book with good information and an excellent collection of photos of vegetables from around the world, including many unusual species.

[269] Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983
Published only on the Internet, excellent information on a wide range of plants.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Beta vulgaris craca

Anne Fox Wed Nov 7 2007

Thank you for your information.I wanted to know whether I could eat beetroot leaves and I am grateful for your notes.

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