Red spinach
Trianthema triquetra

Family: Aizoaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It lies along the ground or can curve up at the tips. It grows 2-20 cm high. The roots are often long and slender. The leaves are up to 1.2 cm long and 2-3 mm wide. The flowers occur singly. The flowers are pink, purple, white or green. The fruit is a capsule with a lid. It is 2 mm long. There is one seed. The seed is black and 1.1 mm across.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows on dry sandy soils. It can tolerate some salt. It can grow in arid regions. It grows in areas with a rainfall of 270-915 mm per year. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, India, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds can be eaten raw and also used for flavouring porridge.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alethi, Kukkapaalakoora, Naisoppu, Patharphor, Sirusharanai

Synonyms

Trianthema crystallina auct. non Vahl.; Trianthema glandulosum A. Peter;