Swiss Chard

Chard ( ; Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, Cicla Group and Flavescens Group) is a green leafy vegetable. It is also called silver beet, perpetual spinach, beet spinach, seakale beet, and leaf beet, but because it is the same species as beetroot, these other common names may overlap.

In the cultivars of the Flavescens Group, or Swiss chard, the leaf stalks are large and often prepared separately from the leaf blade; the Cicla Group is the leafier spinach beet. The leaf blade can be green or reddish; the leaf stalks are usually white, yellow or red. Chard, like other green leafy vegetables, has highly nutritious leaves. Chard has been used in cooking for centuries.