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Tetragonia tetragonoides (Warrigal greens, New Zealand spinach)

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Composting written by Glorious Gardens. Learn all about the joys of composting. Cold composting and hot composting are just two of several options.

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Plant description

tetragonia tetragonoides warrigal greens 717

Tetragonia, Warrigal greens, or New Zealand spinach, is a  low growing, perennial, edible groundcover with a trailing habit. It grows in poor, dry conditions, but an open position with moist, light fertile soil will produce a flourishing plant. It is frost sensitive.

This plant is native to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Chile and Argentina, and is not related to true spinach, but the leaves can be used in a similar way. Like true spinach, it is high in iron, beta carotene and folic acid, and like spinach, it contains oxalates. The oxalates can be lessened by blanching in very hot water. It was introduced to Europe by Joseph Banks, and became popular in kitchen gardens.

It is troubled by very few pests or insects. It can be propagated by seed or soft tip cuttings. The seed is very hard, and needs to be soaked for 24 hours before sowing. Spring is the best time for sowing.

Harvest young leaves and shoots, which should be eaten soon after picking. Young tips have the best taste and picking will encourage branching growth. It should not be eaten raw, because of the oxalate content. It is also useful as a green manure crop in the garden.

 

Further reading: Top ten native plants and Best natives for pots and small gardens (articles written by native plant expert and horticulturalist Angus Stewart).

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: White
Flowering season: summer autumn

Plant size

Maximum height: 0.3 metres
Minimum height: not specified

Maximum width: 2 metres
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full or partial sunlight.
Light frost tolerance.
Plant is salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Not specified.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: temperate, subtropical, tropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: dry, moist.

Clay: moist.

Sand: moist, well-drained.

Soil pH: 5.0-7.0

Miscellaneous information

Native to: Australia.

Planting season: All.

Types of fertiliser: not specified.

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