Carrots and Beets: Popular Root Vegetables

Carrot is a biennial herbaceous plant cultivated for its starchy, edible root tubers. For vegetable purposes, carrot is grown as an annual crop. During the first season of growth, the plant completes vegetative growth and produces edible root tubers; during the next season, the plant completes its reproductive cycle and produces seeds.

Scientific name of beets is Beta vulgaris. It belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae. This plant is native to the Mediterranean regions. Though beets are biennial plants, they are grown as an annual crop for food purposes. Beets are grown for both its tender leaves which are used as leafy vegetables and edible roots which are used as root vegetables. Edible roots of beets are called 'beet roots.'