Chard

Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla), also known as Swiss Chard, Silverbeet, Perpetual Spinach or Mangold, is a leaf vegetable, and is one of the cultivated descendents of the Sea Beet, Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima. It is in the plant family Amaranthaceae along with Spinach.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While used for its leaves, it is in the same species as the garden beets, which are used for their roots, including Mangelwurzel which is used for animal feed and the Sugar beet which is used to make sugar.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are several cultivars of chard available for growing, but the most common is 'Swiss Chard'. Other varieties are 'Ruby Chard', 'Rainbow Chard', and 'Rhubarb Chard'.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chard has shiny green ribbed leaves, with stems that range from white to yellow and red depending on the cultivar. It has a slightly bitter taste. The leaves are generally treated in the same way as spinach and the stems like asparagus. Fresh young chard can also be used raw in salads.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Leaf vegetable: Leaf vegetables, also called greens or leafy greens, are plant leaves eaten as a vegetable, sometimes accompanied by tender petioles and shoots. Although they come from a very wide variety of plants, most share a great deal with other leaf vegetables in nutrition and cooking methods....

Sea Beet: Sea Beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima) is a member of the family Chenopodiaceae, and is the wild ancestor of common vegetables such as beetroot, sugar beet and swiss chard. Its leaves have a pleasant texture and taste when served raw or cooked....

Amaranthaceae: Amaranthoideae...

Chard related Images and Photos (experimental)

A Chard Leaf

John Rouse Merriott Chard Military Notably at Rorke's Drift

Rorkes Drift Chard and Bromhead with Their Men the Morning after the Zulu Attack

Rorke's Drift Chard and Bromhead with Their Men the Morning after the Zulu Attack