Beta maritima L. subsp. maritima

Spice In the field

Family: CHENOPODIACEAE

Genus: Beta

Sinònims: Beta vulgaris L. subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang.

Catalan common name: Bleda borda. Bleda boscana. Bleda obscura.

Spanish common name: Acelga silvestre o marítima.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Holoartica

Uses and properties: Edible or foodstuffs.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte. Terophyte.

Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Rocky coastlines. Coastal sandy soils near the sea.

Characteristics: Wild chards have smaller, harder leaves, can live more than a year and have a slightly woody stalk. The flowers are usually grouped in pairs and when they bear fruit they are completely joined at their base forming ?siamese? twins.