New Zealand Spinach

Introduction[edit]

Tetragonia tetragonioides, commonly known as New Zealand spinach or Warrigal greens, is a flowering plant in the Aizoaceae family. It is native to eastern Asia, Australia, and New Zealand but has been introduced and naturalized in many parts of the world, including Africa, Europe, North America, and South America^[1]^[2]. The plant has been used as a leafy vegetable and is valued for its nutritional content and ease of cultivation^[3]^[4]. Its scientific classification involves a complex history, with the species initially described as Demidovia tetragonoides by Peter Pallas in 1781 and later placed in the genus Tetragonia by Otto Kuntze in 1891^[5]^[6].

Characteristics[edit]

Physical Characteristics[edit]

Leaves: Triangular, bright green, and thick, with tiny papillae on both surfaces. They are 3–15 cm long^[7]^[8].
Growth Habit: Initially erect, becoming decumbent and forming a thick carpet or climbing through vegetation^[9]^[10].
Flowers and Seeds: Produces small yellow flowers followed by hard, ten-sided seeds^[11]^[12].

Growing Conditions[edit]

Climate: Thrives in hot weather but is not particularly frost tolerant^[13].
Soil: Can grow in various soil types but prefers well-watered conditions for lush leaves^[14].
Lifecycle: Can be annual or perennial, depending on the environment^[15].

Why is this crop useful for space?[edit]

Tetragonia tetragonioides could be beneficial for space cultivation due to several reasons: - Hardiness: It is resistant to insects, snails, and slugs, which could reduce pest management needs in controlled environments^[16]^[17]. - Nutritional Value: Rich in vitamins K, C, B6, and manganese, making it a nutritious addition to space diets^[18]. - Adaptability: Can grow in poor soils with minimal water, though optimal conditions enhance leaf quality^[19]. - Low Maintenance: Easy to grow and maintain, which is advantageous in resource-limited space environments.

History of Cultivation in Space[edit]

There is no specific information available on the cultivation of Tetragonia tetragonioides in space. However, its hardiness, nutritional value, and adaptability make it a potential candidate for future space agriculture projects aimed at providing sustainable food sources in controlled environments.

References[edit]

[1] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragonia_tetragonioides

[2] ttps://cal-ipc.org/plants/profile/tetragonia-tetragonioides-profile

[3] ttps://organicgardener.com.au/growing-warrigal-greens

[4] ttps://worldofsucculents.com/tetragonia-tetragonoides

[5] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragonia_tetragonioides

[6] ttps://worldofsucculents.com/tetragonia-tetragonoides

[7] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragonia_tetragonioides

[8] ttps://worldofsucculents.com/tetragonia-tetragonoides

[9] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragonia_tetragonioides

[10] ttps://worldofsucculents.com/tetragonia-tetragonoides

[11] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragonia_tetragonioides

[12] ttps://organicgardener.com.au/growing-warrigal-greens

[13] ttps://organicgardener.com.au/growing-warrigal-greens

[14] ttps://ourpermaculturelife.com/wild-harvesting-for-dinner-simple-free-food

[15] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragonia_tetragonioides

[16] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragonia_tetragonioides

[17] ttps://ourpermaculturelife.com/wild-harvesting-for-dinner-simple-free-food

[18] ttps://organicgardener.com.au/growing-warrigal-greens

[19] ttps://ourpermaculturelife.com/wild-harvesting-for-dinner-simple-free-food

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