A Vegetable to Feed The World?

"A Plant a Day"- Tree Spinach, Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius)-

 Tree Spinach is a leafy fast-growing perennial native of Mexico and Central America. It can grow up to 20 feet tall but is usually kept smaller with harvesting. As it’s common name implies, Tree Spinach is a popular perennial crop that is consumed like Spinach (the leaves and tender stems)—however, caution is noted, as it takes at least 10 min of cooking time for levels of cyanide (hydrocyanic acid) be reduced to allow for consumption. Tree Spinach is a plant that shows great promise as an easy to grow and abundant vegetable that can be grown in a mixed garden, such as an agroforestry system, which can harvested continually without disturbance to the soil. It can thrive in arid or moist environments, poor soils, tolerates pests and doesn’t require fertilizers, however it is tender to a hard frost. In one study by the USDA, it was found to be the most productive vegetable they have ever studied, and some consider it the most important leaf crop of the tropics. It can also be used fresh or dried as an animal fodder. Tree Spinach is also considered nutritious—with good levels of protein, calcium, vitamins and iron—despite its need for cooking. Various varieties exist and some have irritating hairs on the leaves that require the use of gloves for harvest.

Tree Spinach also has a history of local use as a medicine and it is consumed as cooked leaves or as medicinal teas. The sap of the plant is also used topically for skin conditions. The most common uses of Tree Spinach are for diabetes and kidney conditions but also for blood pressure, insect bites, ulcers, diabetes, darkening greying hair and other uses. A drink made with sugar and other fruits is used for virility. Through scientific investigation, it has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antitumor, nephroprotective, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

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**This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.

Photo by Tortie tude – Tree Spinach

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