Beta vulgaris altissima
Sugar Beet
a biennial member of the Beta genus in the family Chenopodiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Chenopodiaceae
- Genus
- Beta
- Life cycle
- biennial
- Height
- 1.5 m
- Spread
- 0.2 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - raw or cooked. The root contains 16 - 20% sugar and this is often extracted and used as a sweetener[1]. This plant is a major source of sugar in many temperate areas. The root can also be used as a vegetable. When cooked it is quite tender, but with some fibrous strands. It has a very sweet flavour that some people find too sweet[K]. The raw root is rather tough, but makes a pleasant addition to salads when grated finely[K]. Leaves - raw or cooked. A very acceptable spinach substitute[K]. Some people dislike the raw leaves since they can leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth[K].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
- Product or use
- Sweetener
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although little used in modern herbalism, beet has a long history of folk use, especially in the treatment of tumours[3]. 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[3]. 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[3]. 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[3]. The juice has been applied to ulcers[3]. A decoction is used as a purgative by those who suffer from haemorrhoids in South Africa[3]. Leaves and roots used as an emmenagogue[3]. Plant effective in the treatment of feline ascariasis[3]. 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[3]. Beet juice in vinegar was said to rid the scalp of dandruff as scurf, and was recommended to prevent falling hair[3]. Juice of the white beet was said to clear obstructions of the liver and spleen[3]. Culpepper (1653) recommended it for treating headache and vertigo as well as all affections of the brain[3].
- Product or use
- Antitumor
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Sugar beet has excellent potential as a biomass crop, both as a source of sugar and also using the plant residue for fuel[3].
- Product or use
- Biomass
Environment
- Range
- A cultivated form of B. vulgaris maritima that is grown for the sugar content of its root.
- Habitat
- Not known in a truly wild situation.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow April in situ.
Cultivation
It is growing well on my allotment in Hampshire, stony soil over chalk, and the bit of ground it is on didn't get any organic matter for several years and is fairly dry in summer but I suppose it hasn't dried out this year due to high rainfall. It is in full sun and is flowering it's heart out now; quite a pretty ground cover. ( Mid May )
There are no interactions listed for Beta vulgaris altissima. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
There are no polycultures listed which include Beta vulgaris altissima.
None listed.
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Beta vulgaris altissima
Genus
Beta
Family
Chenopodiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Uses
Material uses
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
Adapted Climate Zones
Native Geographical Range
Native Environment
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
biennial
Growth Rate
Mature Size
1.5 x 0.2 meters
Fertility
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
Flower Type
hermaphrodite
{#set:Has binomial name=Beta vulgaris altissima
References
Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00
Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press ISBN 0-12-136450-x (1975-00-00)
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - (1983-00-00)