A revision of Beta section Vulgares (Chenopodiaceae), with new light on the origin of cultivated beets

Taxonomic investigations of the variation within Beta vulgaris sensu lato, including the use of numerical techniques, have led to the following conclusions: 1. The variation in morphology of the modern cultivated types of beet exhibit noda in a continuous variation pattern. 2. Microspeciation within wild forms of B. vulgaris is considered to have occurred in the centre of diversity, while in some areas hybridization within Section Vulgares has produced a complex taxonomic situation. 3. Because of the existence of this continuous variation, the classification within the section has been simplified. A new theory for the origin of cultivated beets is proposed.