Brazilian Spinach, Sambu, Samba lettuce
Alternanthera sissoo
Family: Amaranthaceae
What it is like
Also known as Sissoo spinach, Brazilian spinach or Alternanthera sissoo, is commonly known as ground cover due to its fast-growing characteristic. Its leaves are edible, usually cooked by steaming or boiling and eaten as spinach. It grows about 30 cm high, prefers 50% or more shade, and can tolerate a wide range of pH soil conditions. Cultivation is through stem cuttings by simple layering. Other common name is Sambu or Samba lettuce.
Alternanthera sissoo is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.4
Where it is found
Not known
S. America - Brazil.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
Coming Soon
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Leaves - cooked and used as a spinach. The shoots are harvested when 15 - 25cm long - frequent harvesting stimulates new growth and increases overall yields.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
Other uses rating: Good (3/5). Agroforestry Uses: A fast-growing, weed-excluding ground cover plant. Barrier.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Ground Cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Plants can thrive in 50% or more shade. Prefers a well-drained soil with a high organic content. A fast-growing, spreading plant, but it does not produce seed and is not considered to be invasive. The plant can suffer severe insect damage to the leaves in some areas.
Propagating it: Seed is not produced. Cuttings - very easy.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Brazilian Spinach, Sambu, Samba lettuce, Alternanthera sissoo.