Tetragonia tetragonoides – Warrigal Greens
Tetragonia, Warrigal greens, or New Zealand spinach, is a low growing, perennial, edible groundcover with a trailing habit. It grows in poor, dry conditions, but an open position with moist, light fertile soil will produce a flourishing plant. It is frost sensitive.
This plant is also native to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Chile and Argentina, and is not related to true spinach, but the leaves can be used in a similar way. Like true spinach, it is high in iron, beta carotene and folic acid, and like spinach, it contains oxalates. The oxalates can be lessened by blanching in very hot water and draining off the water before use.
Read more about Bush Tucker Plants
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- Tetragonia tetragonoides – bush spinach
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- Tetragonia tetragonoides – bush spinach
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Scientific Name: | Tetragonia tetragonoides |
| Common Name: | Warrigal Greens |
| Other Common Names: | New Zealand Spinach |
| Plant Type: | Ground cover |
| Height: | 0.3 ~ 0.5 metres |
| Width: | 0.5 ~ 2 metres |
| Flower Colour: | Yellow |
| Flowering Time: | Summer, Autumn |
| Ph Level: | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
| Soil Type: | Sandy, Sandy loam, Potting mix, Saline, Poor soil |
| Plant Environment: | Low maintenance garden, Courtyard, Container growing, Coastal garden |
| Climate Zone: | Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid |
| Light: | Sunny, Light shade |
| Growth Habit: | Evergreen, Open foliage, Spreading, Mound-shaped |
| Lifespan: | Annual, Biennial, Perennial |
| Soil Moisture: | Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage |
| Propagation Method: | Seed, Softwood cutting |
| Frost Tolerance: | Tolerates light frost |
| Plant Usage: | Groundcover, Border plant |
| Special Features: | Edible, Fast growing, Playground friendly |
| Attracts Wildlife: | Mammals |
The information provided on the Gardening With Angus website is provided for general educational purposes about a variety of Australian plants. We recommend you seek further advice from qualified professionals regarding your own individual circumstances. Further disclaimer information>>
WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT
Once you have found the plant that looks right for you, the next step is where to buy it.
Most nurseries stock a good range of plants, but due to space and supplies, they may not always have the plant that you are searching for in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you if you request it.
Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you have planned on, they can often suggest alternatives that will also work well for you.
Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries. Click on the links for their details-
The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW
Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW
Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW
Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW
Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Geelong Native Plants – Victoria
Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria
Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland
Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland
Manuka Native Nursery – South Australia
MAIL ORDER NURSERIES –
Angus recommends Bush Tucker fertiliser for native plants.