WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
1 16 
II. BEET. (BETA. Linn.) — Flowers perfect, in clusters in the axils of the leaves forming long ter- 
minal spikes. Perianth of 5 segments, united at the base and adhering to the seedcase below which it 
is inserted (inferior), the lower part becoming enlarged and woody in fruit ; stamens 5, inserted on a 
fleshy ring which unites the perianth and seedcase ; carpels 2-3, with the same number of styles 
and stigmas ; the i-seeded fruit embedded in the enlarged fleshy base of the perianth. Herbs with 
alternate, wavy, almost entire, fleshy leaves. [ Plate 39. 
Sea Beet. (Beta marit'ima. Linn.) — The only British species. As just described. 
The flowers are green, 2 or 3 together in clusters in the axils of the leaves forming long leafy 
spikes terminating the main stem and branches (panicle) ; the stems are about 2-3 feet high, 
stout, decumbent, and spreading ; the leaves are small lance-shaped and bract-like at the base 
of each flower-cluster, the lower stem-leaves shortly stalked, wavy, and egg-shaped (ovate), and 
those from the root on long stalks, large, and triangular-egg-shaped ; and the root is thick 
and fleshy. 
This species is the parent of the red and white Beet and Mangel Wurzel of cultivation. 
Fairly common. On sea-shores, throughout England, rare in Scotland, and fairly distributed 
in Ireland. June — October. Perennial. 
III. GOOSE-FOOT. (CHENOPODIUM. Linn.) — Flowers small, perfect, green, in small 
stalkless (sessile) clusters up the stem forming terminal and axillary spikes which are usually much 
branched (panicle). Perianth of 3-5 lobes, united at the base, free from and inserted below 
the seedcase, enveloping the fruit but not enlarging with it ; stamens 5, inserted below the 
seedcase (hypogynous) ; carpels 2-3, with 2 or 3 styles and stigmas ; fruit of 1 seed enclosed 
in a membranous coat and enveloped in the perianth. Herbs with usually alternate leaves, which 
with the flowers and stems are often covered with white meal. 
Flowers with 5-lobed perianth. 
(1) Many-seeded Goose-foot. (Chenopodium polysper'mum.) — Perianth not covering fruit ; 
leaves oval, entire ; plant green, not mealy. 
(2) Stinking Goose-foot. (Chenopodium Vulvaria.) — Perianth covering fruit ; leaves egg-shaped 
and entire ; plant covered with white greasy, ill-smelling meal. 
Leaves toothed or lobed ; more or less mealy. 
(3) White Goose-foot. (Chenopodium album.) — Perianth covering fruit ; upper leaves narrow 
and entire, lower egg-shaped and toothed, all nearly white. 
(4) *Guelder-rose-leaved Goose-foot. (Chenopodium opulifdlium.) — Perianth covering fruit : 
all leaves broad, 4-sided, and coarsely toothed. 
(5) Fig-leaved Goose-foot. (Chenopodium serotinum.) — Perianth covering fruit ; all leaves 
3-lobed. 
(6) Nettle-leaved Goose-foot. (Chenopodium murale.) — Perianth not quite covering fruit ; 
leaves 4-sided, sharply toothed. 
(7) Maple-leaved Goose-foot. (Chenopodium hybridum.) — Perianth not covering fruit : leaves 
heart-shaped with 2-4 large teeth on each side. 
(8) Upright Goose-foot. (Chenopddium ur'bicum.) — Perianth not covering fruit : leaves 
triangular, deeply toothed or lobed. 
Terminal flower only in each cluster with a 5-lobed perianth. 
(9) Red Goose-foot. (Chenopodium rubrum.)— Flower-clusters leafy; leaves triangular, 
deeply toothed or lobed, shining, dark green tinged with red. 
