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.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Plants