Chard is same genus and species as the common table beets, however only the leaves of the chard plant are consumed. It probably originated in the Mediterranean area, spreading eastward in prehistoric times, with a secondary region of development in the Near East. Wild beets occur widely over the Mediterranean lands, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and the Near East.It was probably introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages. It was cultivated by the Greeks and brought to North America by European settlers.