These are two Detroit Dark Red beetroots, cut in half two hours after harvesting. The one on the right is about 3 1/2 inches wide (full-sized for this variety) and about to bolt (other beets planted at the same time and of the same size have bolted). Changes in the root associated with bolting are visible: the flower stalk is forming, curving the normal vertical striations (as seen in the comparator, left-hand, nonbolting beetroot from the same plot). Also, the right-hand root is a little lighter in weight than expected, as shown in the white areas where the juice has been reabsorbed to nourish the embryonic flower stalk.
<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Downtowngal" title="User:Downtowngal">Downtowngal</a>
2012-05-10
<span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>