BESSERA (in honour of Dr. Besser, Professor of Botany at Brody). ORD. Liliaceæ. An elegant little half-hardy, Squill-like, bulbous plant, from Mexico. Perianth bell-shaped, six-parted. Leaves narrow, linear. It requires a compost of loam, leaf soil, peat, and sand, with good drainage. If cultivated in pots, a plentiful supply of water must be given from the commencement of growth until ripening off. When at rest, however, it should be kept dry and cool, but secure from the effects of frost. If planted out, a well-drained sunny position must be chosen, such as close to the wall of a greenhouse with a southern aspect. Propagation may be effected by offsets.
B. elegans (elegant).* fl. scarlet, or scarlet and white. July to September. l. 1ft. to 2ft. long, narrow, furrowed on the upper side. h. 2ft. Mexico, 1850. This is the only species. The colour of the flowers varies considerably, on which account other names have originated. (B. R. 25, 34.)
BETA (from bett, the Celtic word for red; in reference to the colour of the Beet). Beetroot. ORD. Chenopodiaceæ. Perianth single, half-inferior, five-cleft, persistent. Seed one, reniform, imbedded in the fleshy base of the calyx. B. Cicla is largely used as a decorative plant in sub-tropical and other styles of gardening. They require the same culture as the ordinary Beet. The other sorts, with dark blood-red leaves, are largely employed in flower gardens, and the roots utilised for culinary purposes. See also [Beet.]
FIG. 248. BETA HORTENSIS METALLICA, or VICTORIA BEET.
B. Cicla (Sicilian). fl. greenish, disposed in threes. August. l. with very thick ribs. Roots scarcely any. h. 6ft. Portugal, 1570. The variety, B. c. variegata, usually known as the Chilian Beet, is a very handsome plant, having its leaves often more than a yard in length and over 1ft. in diameter, with a remarkably handsome variegation. The midribs are usually dark orange or scarlet. It is a most desirable and effective plant for sub-tropical gardening.
B. hortensis metallica (metallic). Victoria Beet. An ornamental variety with glistening deep blood-red leaves. Useful for decorative purposes in summer, either as a single specimen or in a mass. Roots may also be used for cooking. See Fig. 248.
B. maritima (sea). fl. greenish, disposed in hairs. August. l., lower ones rhomboid-ovoid, acute; upper ones lanceolate. Stem diffuse. Root scarcely any. h. 1ft. Britain.
B. vulgaris (common). The Common Beetroot. fl. greenish, clustered. August. l., lower ones ovate. Root fleshy. h. 4ft. South Europe, 1548.
BETCKEA. See Plectritis.
BETEL, or BETLE. See Piper Betle.
BETONICA. This genus now forms a sub-division of Stachys (which see). Betony (Stachys Betonica) is a native herb formerly much used in medicine, but now almost entirely discarded.
BETONY. See Stachys Betonica.