Chenopodium capitatum

'Strawberry Spinach'

[Syn. Blitum capitatum]

Chenopodiaceae: an edible annual plant to 30cm. Flowers are packed tightly in round clusters in uppermost leaf axils and whorled around the upper stem. Blooming June and August. Fruit are small, pulpy, bright red and edible, resembling strawberries. Reddish stems that branch from the base. Leaves occur along the stem, often to the tip of the branches, generally decreasing in size. Native to Europe.

USES:

The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Used like spinach, they are a good source of vitamins C and A. The fruit have an insipid but sweet flavour and can add colour if added to salads.

The plant has been used as a lotion for treating black eyes and head bruises. The juice of the seeds and an infusion of the plant has been used to treat lung congestion.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Seeds must be covered thinly. Do not cover very small seeds, but tightly press into the earth. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs. An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils but disliking shade.

HARVESTED: 2020

APPROX. 100+ SEEDS