298 



BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



Lobes of the calyx not becoming fleshy, and never red in color. 

 Developing large fleshy tap roots, Beta (beet). 

 Tap roots not fleshy, Chenopodium (goosefoot, lamb's quarters, 

 pig- weed). 

 Flowers monoecious or dioecious. 

 . Bractlets silky-hairy, Eurotia (winter sage). 

 Bractlets not silky-hairy. 



Pistillate flowers without a calyx, Airiplex (orache). 

 Pistillate flowers with a calyx, Spinacia (spinach). 



SPINACIA OLERACEA (Spinach) 



Description. — Spinach is an erect, smooth, annual herb. 

 Early in the season, it throws out a number of large leaves, 

 crowded near the ground surface. Somewhat later, a flower 

 stalk is sent up to a distance of 2 or 3 feet. The leaves are 



Fig. 118. — Spinach (Spinacea oleracea). A, pistillate flower of prickly- 

 seeded spinach; B, staminate flower of same; C, fruit of smooth-seeded 

 spinach; D, fruit of prickly-seeded spinach. 



large, alternate, petioled, and triangular-ovate or arrow- 

 shaped in outhne. The flowers occur in axillary clusters. 

 They are dioecious. The staminate flowers (Fig. 118, B) 

 have a four- to five-parted calyx and four to five stamens 

 inserted at the base of the perianth. Pistillate flowers 



