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Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pallas) Kuntze=T. expansaAizoaceae (Carpetweed Family)AustralasiaNew Zealand Spinach |
April Photo
Plant Characteristics:
Succulent annual with many spreading or procumbent branches 3-several dm.
long; herbage with small crystalline vesicles; lvs. triangular-ovate, entire or
undulate, 2-5 cm. long, abruptly contracted at base into a cuneately winged
petiole; fls. subsessile, solitary in axils, yellow-green; sepals spreading,
1.5-2.5 mm. long; petals 0; styles 3-9; ovary inferior when mature, 3-9 loculed;
fr. 8-10 mm. long, 2-5 horned; seeds brownish, ca. 2 mm. long.
Habitat:
Naturalized along beaches and near salt marshes, along the coast to Ore.;
Santa Cruz and San Miguel Ids. April-Sept.
Name:
Greek, tetra, four, and gonu, knee, or angle, referring to the fruit.
(Munz, Flora So. Calif. 58).
Tetragonioides means like Tetragonia,
the species was first placed in another genus. (Dale
41).
General:
Uncommon in the study area. Photographed
specimen was on the Castaway's bluffs. (my
comments). As you might expect from its common name,
this plant was first discovered when Captain Cook sailed around the world.
Cultivated in S. America as a potherb and has escaped in Calif.
This plant was first discovered by the sailors of Captain Cook's
expedition around the world. It was
cultivated in England in 1821 and in France in 1824. It is used as a potherb in Tongatabu but not in New Zealand.
Foragers enjoy its mild flavor and crunchy texture in salads and as a
potherb. It has no strong briny
taste and can be served with a variety of sauces and dressings.
It is excellent when lightly steamed with lemon and butter.
(Clarke 175). About 60 species of Southern Hemisphere.
(Munz, Flora So. Calif. 58).
Text Ref:
Hickman, Ed. 130; Munz, Calif.
Flora 308; Munz, Flora So. Calif
58.
Photo Ref:
April 6 83 # 20,21,22.
Identity: by R. De Ruff.
Computer Ref: Plant Data 123
No plant specimen.
Last edit 10/18/02.
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April Photo