Beta L.

2. Beta L. 1

Glabrous herbs. Leaves flat, more or less entire. Flowers hermaphrodite, solitary or in few-flowered cymes arranged in a spicate inflorescence. Perianth-segments and stamens 5; ovary semiinferior, connate with the receptacle in fruit; stigmas usually 2-3. Fruits often adhering together by the swollen perianth and receptacle. Seeds horizontal.

1 Stems not more than 10 cm, procumbent, leafless except for bracts subtending solitary flowers; leaves all basal 5. nana 1 Stems normally much more than 10 cm, leafy; cymes 1- to several-flowered

2 Perianthwhitish-yellow 4. trigyna 2 Perianthgreentopurplish, sometimeswitha scariousmargin

3 Inflorescence ebracteate or bracteate only at the base

1. vulgaris 3 Inflorescence bracteate ± to the apex

4 Perianth-segments up to 5 mm in fruit; bracts much smaller than cauline leaves 2. macrocarpa 4 Perianth-segments 1-1-5 mm in fruit; lower bracts similar to the cauline leaves 3. patellaris