New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragoniodes)

New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragoniodes): this variety from the southern hemisphere has important botanical characteristics. At its original home it can be sown all year, however, in our hemisphere we must consider it doesn’t feel comfortable with cold very temperatures.

It has climbing habit, overcoming the winter, it will adopt a mat-forming one. 

As germination is a bit difficult, it is advisable to soak the seeds for a bit over 24 hourse before sowing. To consume it, just cut the leaves without eradicating the plant and it will keep growing new ones.

To tell us about the spread of this species, the words of the the site Piante in Viaggio (Plants in Travel) : "This particular species, Tetragonia tetragonioides, belonging to a family (Aizoaceae) typical of the southern hemisphere, was consumed only occasionally by the indigenous New Zealanders, the Maori. But when the hungry European sailors landed on the shores of the islands of the antipodes, in the year of grace 1769, they wasted no time collecting, cooking and stockpiling this species of spinach. And the seeds were readily harvested. It was therefore Josepk Banks, the distinguished botanist who accompanied Captain James Cook on his first southern expedition, who introduced us to Tetragonia tetragonioides, to the point that this Aizoacea ended up being more appreciated and consumed in Europe than in its homeland. But in the meantime, that time, tthe crew of the Endeavour were spared the danger of scurvy.

Source: http://www.pianteinviaggio.it/index.php/en/le-piante-protagoniste/item/323-spinacio-della-nuova-zelanda-la-bietola-del-capitano-cook