Rex Trulove
Both beets and chard are exactly the same species of plant and neither is native to the US. Both came from a plant called the sea beet. They were purposely grown first in the Mediterranean area. We commonly call chard “Swiss chard”, but chard was grown long before the use spread through Europe and Switzerland.
Have to pass on the beets.
I love chard/beet greens. Wife and daughter love pickled beets.