New Zealand spinach
New Zealand spinach, succulent annual (Tetragonia expansa) of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and S South America, grown for the edible leaves. The plant grows prostrate, often spreading to cover several feet. It is cooked like spinach. It is in the same family as the ice plant. New Zealand spinach is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Caryophyllales, family Aizoaceae.
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Tetragonia
| Tetragonia | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Tetragonia tetragonoides | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Tetragonia L. |
| Species | |
|
About 50-60 species, including: |
|
Tetragonia is a genus of 50-60 species of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae, native to temperate and subtropical regions mostly of the Southern Hemisphere, in New Zealand, Australia, southern Africa and South America. The best known species of Tetragonia is the leafy vegetable food crop, Tetragonia tetragonioides, or New Zealand spinach.
Plants of the Tetragonia genus are herbs or small shrubs. Leaves are alternate and succulent, with flowers typically yellow and small . Fruit are initially succulent but become dry and woody with age.[1]
New Zealand spinach is widely cultivated as a summer leafy vegetable.
References
- ^ Beadle, N.C.W., Part II, Students Flora of North Eastern New South Wales, University of New England, 1972, ISBN 85834-040-2.
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The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/.
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