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New Zealand Spinach

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New Zealand Spinach photos

Scientific Name:Tetragonia tetragonoides
New Zealand Spinach plant
New Zealand Spinach plant
Photo: A J Brown

Other Common Names:
Warrigal Greens

Status:
Native to all Australian states (except the Northern Territory) and New Zealand.

Plant Description:
Prostrate to sprawling annual with branches to 1 m long. Leaves deltoid to rhombic, 2-8 cm long and 1-5 cm wide.

Flowers are solitary and stalkless or nearly so. Perianth segments (flower-like bracts) are 5 in number, green on the inside and densely papillose on the outside. Fruit is dry or thinly succulent.

Habitat:
Occasional along the coastline but mainly in the east, growing amongst rocks or on silty or sandy soils.

RegionSalinity ClassWaterlogging Class
*Western, *GippslandS0, S1, S2, S3W0, W1, W2
*mainly confined to coastal environments

Comments:
New Zealand Spinach is in the Pigface family (Aizoaceae) but has dissimilar flowers. Differs from Bower Spinach in its 5 perianth segments (instead of 4), green flowers and dry or thinly subfleshy fruit. Used by indigenous Australians and early Europeans as a vegetable and is increasing in contemporary popularity as a cooking ingredient. Contains high oxalate concentrations but blanching leaves and young stems before use reduces these to safe levels.

New Zealand Spinach Photos

New Zealand Spinach plant
New Zealand Spinach plant
Photo: A J Brown
Flowers of New Zealand Spinach
Flowers of New Zealand Spinach
Photo: A J Brown

Fruit of New Zealand Spinach
Fruit of New Zealand Spinach
Photo: A J Brown

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