The wild ancestor to beetroot, leaf beet, perpetual spinach and Swiss Chard. A sprawling, clump-forming perennial of cliffs, shingle beaches and other coastal habitats. The green flowers form dense, leafy spikes, flowering from July-September. The leaves are dark green, glossy are leathery with reddish stems. Native to coastal areas of Europe, including Britain, south and east to North Africa and Asia to the East Indies.

The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked, and have a delicious spinach substitute in the spring. This is the wild beetroot of coastal areas.

Although little used in modern herbalism, beet has a long history of folk use, especially in the treatment of tumours. The juice is also applied to ulcers.

Beets grow well in a variety of soils, growing best in a deep, friable well-drained soil abundant with organic matter, but do poorly on clay. They prefer an open sunny position, they do not tolerate shade, and a light well-drained soil. Ht: to 1.2m.

Sow seeds from March to May in situ in well drained spot with added organic matter,  slow to germinate .