Tree spinach (Chenopodium giganteum) is one to the fox tail plants (Amaranthaceae) belonging kind from the kind (Chenopodium). Traditionally this kind as well as others was summarized in that in former times than independently treated family of the goose foot plants (Chenopodiaceae). Other names for the tree spinach are "Magentaspreen "or "giant goose foot "

Characteristics

How the name can become relatively large already suggest the tree spinach, it can reach stature heights of up to 2.50 meters. It is a one year's krautige plant, with toothed, dark-green sheets. The recent impulses possess white or violet blister hair, which to the sheets a bepudertes appearance lends. The kind flowers from July to Septembers with small white blooms, those from the wind to be dusted and carries in August until October thousands seeds.

In Central Europe the kind arrives rarely at the bloom and not at seed-ripe.

Spreading

The tree spinach originally originates from India, is however today in all moderate areas to be found. It is assumed that the plant with other merchandise came such as cotton to Europe. The kind was brought in in former times repeatedly, was however always only inconsistant. In Austria (only Vienna) it was proven very rarely.

Cultivation

Against the soil the tree spinach does not make high demands. He loves one sunny to halfshady location. If one wants to cultivate it in the garden, he can be sown starting from April to June directly in the open land.

Use

The sheets of the plant are used like spinach. The plants can be harvested either at a value of 20 to 30 cm as a whole or as picking spinach gradually. In Eastern Asia the tiny seeds are converted to flour. With us as particularly by the birds are gladly eaten. It pay attention that the plant contains oxalic acid. In the literature is also a reference to Saponine. Sensitive persons should take the plant therefore better only cooked and not in to large quantities to itself. Its special Zierwert lies in the remarkable sheet colouring. As the blooms are however rather small and inconspicuous.

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Two Baumspnat pictures (completely down on the side)

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