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New Zealand Spinach
Tetragonia tetragonoides
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A perennial (overwintering annual in Japan) found on coastal sandy ground. The fleshy leaves are edible and were used as a substitute for spinach. Also known as New Zealand spinach.
Identification Points
- βLeaves are fleshy and succulent, triangular-ovate, with a rough surface texture
- βStems creep and spread along the ground
- βGrows on coastal sand and gravel; salt-tolerant
Habitat
Coastal sandy and gravelly ground
Season
MayβSeptember (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Habitat
Coastal
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Stamen count
1-2
Phylogenetic Positionγγ«γη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Caryophyllales > Aizoaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 55 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Aizoaceae (ice plant family) is a lineage containing many CAM plants that became succulent as an adaptation to drought and salinity stress.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification