Chenopodium giganteum (Tree spinach)

Botanical name

Chenopodium giganteum

Other names

Tree spinach, Chenopodium amaranticolor , Chenopodium album amaranticolor, Magenta spreen , Giant lambsquarters

Genus

Chenopodium Chenopodium

Species

C. giganteum - C. giganteum is an erect annual with red-flushed, green stems, ovate to diamond-shaped, toothed, edible, mid-green leaves, red-flushed when young and, in late summer, terminal spikes of insignificant, green, sometimes red-flushed flowers.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Irregular

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Colour

Flower

Green, Flushed red, Insignificant or absent in Summer

Foliage

Green, Flushed red in Spring; Green, Flushed red in Summer; Flushed red, Green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Seems to be trouble free.

Diseases

Seems to trouble free.

General care

Pruning

Pick leaves as required.

Propagation

Requires warm conditions to set seed. Sow seed in situ in spring.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Chenopodium giganteum (Tree spinach) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Beds and borders, Flavouring food and drinks

Cultivation

Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Chenopodium giganteum (Tree spinach)

Common pest name

Acorn disease; Citrus little leaf; Citrus stubborn disease; Little leaf of citrus; Stubborn disease of citrus

Scientific pest name

Spiroplasma citri

Type

Bacterium

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Bacterial pest affecting citrus and field vegetables now present in parts of the EU. Carrots are the main crop potentially at risk; but main vectors responsible for transmission are unlikely to establish in the UK. EU regulations should be updated to reflect extended host range. Industry may be interested in pursuing research to investigate impacts on field vegetables.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/