Bower spinach, Warrigal Spinach, Ice Plant
Tetragonia implexicoma

Family: Aizoaceae

What it is like

A succulent climber. It can climb 3 m high. The stems are slender and fleshy. It can form dense mats over the ground. The leaves are thick and diamond shaped. They are 1.5-4 cm long. They are bright green and have water filled pustules on the surface. The flowers are small and yellow. They are on slender stems arising from the leaf bases. The fruit are red to black and berry like. They have a hard seed inside. The leaves are smaller and darker than Tetragonia tetragonoides and lack distinct veins.

There are about 50-60 Tetragonia species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is a coastal plant. It forms thick tangled masses just behind the sand dunes. It can tolerate high levels of salt. It is drought resistant but sensitive to frost. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The young leaves and shoots are eaten cooked. The ripe fruit are eaten.

The leaves have been a popular food.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Barilla, Coorong spinach, Kokihi, New Zealand Spinach

Synonyms

Tetragonella implexicoma Miq.; Tetragonia trigyna Banks & Sol.;