Warrigal Greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides)

Warrigal Greens or New Zealand Spinach is a native vegetable with fleshy, triangular, green leaves of which taste like spinach when cooked. 7-8 weeks till harvest. Each packet contains 15 seeds.
Warrigal Greens / New Zealand Spinach
Warrigal Greens / New Zealand Spinach
Price Per Packet: $ 2.50

Growing Advice

Photo by John Tann (CC BY 2.0).

Scientific Name: Tetragonia tetragonioides

Common Names: Warrigal Greens, New Zealand Spinach, Kokihi, Sea Spinach, Botany Bay Spinach, Cook's Cabbage, Tetragon

Family: AIZOACEAE (Fig-Marigold & Ice Plant)

Etymology:

Tetragonia; Four-Angled
 tetragonioides; Like Tetragonia

Origin:

Tetragonia tetragonioides is native to parts of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentenia and Chile.  The cooked leaves of this species were used to provide vitamin C and help prevent scurvy among the crew who sailed on the Endevour with Captain Cook.  Joseph Banks was to collect seed during this trip and for almost 200 years Warrigal Greens would be the only cultivated vegetable to have originated from Australia and New Zealand.

Description:

Warrigal Greens grows as a perennial and can last for many years in temperate areas but is shorter lived in more tropical regions.  The leaves are triangular in shape and fleshy with a taste similar to spinach once cooked.  The plant has a trailing habit and will form a nice ground-cover once established.  Warrigal Greens are hardy plants and are rarely plagued by disease or significant insect pests.

Uses:

Warrigal Greens have a high oxalate content which is responsible for the sour taste of the raw leaves, although the oxalates are reduced by cooking.  Blanching for a minute in hot water than rinsing in cold water can help to remove these oxalates prior to cooking.  Not recommended to be eaten raw.  Younger leaves are the tenderest and best tasting.  Excellent alternative to spinach in cooked dishes.

Germination:

Soak seeds for three hours prior to planting in warm (not boiling) water.  Plant seeds 8-10 mm deep and spaced about 20cm apart.  Sow during Spring-Summer for best results, although in frost-free areas can also be sown during Autumn.  Warrigal Green seeds take between 15 and 22 days to germinate.

Cultivation:

The tolerance of Warrigal Greens of drought, light frosts and high temperature makes this a very versatile plant to grow and harvest at home.  Prefers a full sun position in a rich, well-drained soil however does best when in arid regions when grown in shade.  Water well to ensure best growth, plant will readily show signs of wilting if water supply is inadequate.  Takes 7-8 weeks from sowing until the first decent harvest can be collected.  Self-sows readily in the garden.  Mulch well.