Beet (Beta maritima, Beta vulgaris var crassa, var cruenta, var cicla, var macrorrhiza)
Folk Names: Garden Beet; Beta maritima: Sea Beet; Beta vulgaris crassa: Beetroot, Sugar Beet, White Beet; Beta vulgaris cruenta: Foliage Beet, Victoria Beet; Beta vulgaris cicla: Spinach Beet, Swiss Chard; Beta vulgaris macrorrhiza: Mangel-wurzel (Mangold)
Description: All beets are derived from Beta maritima, the sea beet, a wild beet which grows along the coasts of Europe, north Africa, and Asia. This natural beet enjoys muddy coastal marshes. It grows approximately two feet tall with large, fleshy, glossy leaves. It has an angular stem and numerous leafy spikes of green flowers. Garden-variety beets are perennial vegetables native to southern Europe. They prefer light, sandy loams.
Effects: gentle
Planet: Saturn
Element: Earth
Associated Deities:
Traditions:
The juice has been used as ink in love magic. It is also an inexpensive blood substitute in spells calling for this ingredient.
The garden beet, cultivated from ancient times, was much appreciated by the ancients. It was offered on silver to Apollo in his temple.
Magic:
It is said that if a man and woman share the same beet, they will fall in love.
Known Combinations:
none noted
Medical Indications: Parts Used:
source of carbohydrates, iron, chloride; tops source of potassium, magnesium, calcium, B2, A
Nutrition:
The root of Beta vulgaris crassa is grown for its use as a vegetable and for sugar, while Beta vulgaris cicla is grown solely for it leaves. The leaves are very similar to spinach whether boiled or in salad. The leaves of Beta vulgaris crassa are used as spinach or put in soups. Its root is not as physically appealing as that of the red beet, though it is now used entirely as a source of beet sugar.
Mercantile Uses:
In addition to being a food crop, Beta vulgaris crassa is also grown for decoration. The leaves and root of Beta vulgaris macrorrhiza are harvested exclusively for cattle feed, being too coarse for human consumption.