Beta vulgaris
Chard was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus as "Beta vulgaris" var. "cicla". Its taxonomic rank has changed many times, so it was treated as a subspecies, convariety, or variety of "Beta vulgaris". (Some of the numerous synonyms are "Beta vulgaris" subsp. "cicla" (Cicla Group), "B. vulgaris" subsp. "cicla" var. "cicla" , "B. vulgaris" var. "cycla" , "B. vulgaris" subsp. "vulgaris" (Leaf Beet Group), "B. vulgaris" subsp. "vulgaris" (Spinach Beet Group), "B. vulgaris" subsp. "cicla" ( (Flavescens Group), "B. vulgaris" subsp. "cicla" var. "flavescens" , "B. vulgaris" subsp. "vulgaris" (Leaf Beet Group), "B. vulgaris" subsp. "vulgaris" (Swiss Chard Group)). The accepted name for all beet cultivars, like chard, sugar beet and beetroot, is "Beta vulgaris" subsp. "vulgaris". They are cultivated descendants of the sea beet, "Beta vulgaris" subsp. "maritima". Chard belongs to the chenopods, which are now mostly included in the family Amaranthaceae ("sensu lato").