Beta vulgaris

Biennial herb with stem decumbent to erect and up to 2 m high, sometimes purplish. Basal leaves rosetted; lamina ovate to rhombic, 5–20 cm long, 3–6 cm wide; petiole slender, half to about as long as lamina; cauline leaves smaller and becoming almost sessile toward inflorescence. Flowers solitary or in clusters of up to 8. Perianth lobes oblong, 1–2.5 mm long, incurved. Fruiting perianth with segments corky at least toward base, adjacent fruits fused and falling as a unit.