New Zealand spinach
New Zealand spinach: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
New Zealand spinach is a leafy vegetable with thick, often triangular leaves. Its botanical name is Tetragonia tetragonoides, and it belongs to the Aizoaceae family. Its kitchen uses resemble spinach, but its identity and growth habit are different. It is especially interesting as a warm-season green, with spreading, fleshy growth that maintains a generous leafy presence during summer. The foliage is its main attraction as a vegetable.Branching stems extend near the ground and can form a broad mass of leaves. Individual branches may approach a metre long under favourable conditions. Leaves range from light to darker green and may be diamond shaped or more rounded as well as triangular. Their surface carries tiny raised structures that give a slightly granular appearance. This texture, together with the substantial leaf blade, helps identify the plant beyond its familiar common name.Small yellow or greenish-yellow flowers appear close to the leaves. They are inconspicuous…
