Herb: New Zealand Spinach


Latin name: Tetragonia tetragonoides


Synonyms: Tetragonia expansa


Family: Aizoaceae (Fig-marigold Family)



Edible parts of New Zealand Spinach:

Leaves - raw or cooked. A spinach substitute, the shoot tips are harvested when about 8cm long, this encourages plenty of side growth with lots more shoots to harvest. A delicious substitute for spinach, the very young leaves and shoots can also be eaten raw in salads. The young leaves are best, older leaves developing an acrid taste.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Evergreen
Perennial

Height:
20 cm
(7 3/4 inch)

Habitat of the herb:

Coastal sand dunes and stony beaches on North South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand. Sheltered beaches, salt marshes and arid plains in Australia.

Propagation of New Zealand Spinach:

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frost. Seed can also be sown in situ in late spring, though this will not generally make such good plants. The seed can be slow to germinate, soaking in warm water for 24 hours prior to sowing may help.

Cultivation of the herb:

Coastal sand dunes and stony beaches on North South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand. Sheltered beaches, salt marshes and arid plains in Australia.

Medicinal use of New Zealand Spinach:

None known

Known hazards of Tetragonia tetragonoides:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.