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Dune Spinach

Tetragonia decumbens

SA tree number

English: Dune Spinach, Sea Spinach, Dune Tetragonia

Afrikaans: Duinespinasie

Misapplied or old scientific names: Tetragonia fruticosa, Aizoon perfoliatum, Tetragonia obovata, Tetragonia perfoliata, Tetragonia tetrapteris, Tetragonia zeyheri

Tetragonia decumbens, commonly known as Dune Spinach or Duinespinasie, is a fast-growing, evergreen, perennial groundcover indigenous to South Africa. It is known for its sprawling habit, fleshy leaves, and small, inconspicuous flowers, making it an excellent plant for stabilising coastal dunes.

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Distinguishing features:

Fast-growing, sprawling perennial groundcover.
Fleshy, succulent-like leaves.
Small, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers.
Distinctive 4-winged fruit.
Often forms dense mats, particularly in sandy coastal areas.

Overall appearance:

A sprawling, perennial, herbaceous groundcover, forming dense mats of fleshy stems and leaves that spread extensively over the ground.

Height:

Typically grows 100 mm to 300 mm high.

Width:

Can spread up to 2 m or more.

Leaves:

Leaves are alternate, simple, and fleshy (succulent-like), giving the plant a lush appearance.
They are typically ovate to spatulate in shape.
They measure 20 mm to 50 mm long and 10 mm to 30 mm wide.
They are bright green, sometimes with a slightly greyish tinge due to small papillae (tiny bumps) on the surface.

Flowers:

Flowers are small and inconspicuous, yellowish-green in colour.
They are borne singly in the leaf axils.
They have no petals but feature 4-5 sepals that resemble petals.

Flowering season:

Mainly spring and summer (August to March), but can flower intermittently throughout the year in favourable conditions.

Fruits:

Fruits are a distinctive feature, being dry and woody.
They are 4-winged, sometimes 3 or 5-winged, making them easily identifiable.
They are somewhat flattened and measure approximately 10 mm to 15 mm across.
The fruit encloses the seeds.

Stems:

Stems are decumbent (trailing or creeping along the ground), fleshy, and often root at the nodes where they touch the soil, allowing the plant to spread widely. They can become somewhat woody at the base over time.

Roots:

The plant has roots that develop at the nodes along its sprawling stems, helping it to anchor and spread.

Soil type:

Thrives in sandy soils, particularly coastal sands. It is very tolerant of saline (salty) conditions.

Aspect:

Prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade.

Edibility:

The leaves are edible and can be cooked like spinach, hence the common name "Dune Spinach". They are a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Toxicity:

Not toxic; the leaves are edible.

Uses:

Horticultural: Excellent as a fast-growing groundcover for sandy areas, coastal gardens, and for stabilising dunes. It is a good choice for water-wise gardening due to its succulent leaves.
Food: Leaves are edible and can be cooked or used raw in salads.
Land rehabilitation: Widely used for dune stabilisation and erosion control in coastal areas.

Ecology:

Dune stabilisation: Its extensive, mat-forming growth habit and ability to root at nodes make it highly effective at binding sandy soils, preventing erosion in coastal environments.
Food source: Its leaves provide a food source for some coastal wildlife, and it is also consumed by humans.
Habitat: Provides low-level groundcover habitat for small animals and insects.

Distribution and habitat:

Indigenous to South Africa, it is primarily found in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces. It is a common component of coastal dune vegetation, growing on sandy beaches, dunes, and coastal flats, often tolerating harsh conditions including salt spray and strong winds.

Derivation of name:

The genus name Tetragonia is derived from the Greek words tetra meaning 'four' and gonia meaning 'angle' or 'corner', referring to the characteristic four-angled or four-winged fruit.
The species name decumbens is Latin, meaning 'lying down' or 'procumbent', referring to its sprawling, prostrate growth habit along the ground.
Common names like "Dune Spinach" highlight its preferred habitat (dunes) and its edible nature (spinach-like leaves). "Strandspinach" is the Afrikaans equivalent, with 'strand' meaning 'beach'.

Historical aspects:

Used for centuries as a traditional food source in coastal regions. Its effectiveness in dune stabilisation has led to its use in coastal restoration projects.

Interesting facts:

Fancy a veggie straight from the beach? Tetragonia decumbens is literally "Dune Spinach"! Its fleshy leaves are totally edible and a great source of vitamins, perfect for a coastal salad.
Its name, Tetragonia, is a clue to its cool fruit – "tetra" means four, and its fruits have four distinct wings, making them look like little winged spacecraft!
This plant is a superstar at holding down the fort (or rather, the dune!). Its sprawling stems are like natural glue, keeping sandy coasts from blowing away.

Growing tips:

Tetragonia decumbens is very easy to grow and a great choice for coastal gardens.
Plant it in full sun in sandy, well-drained soil. It thrives on neglect once established.
It is highly drought-tolerant and salt-tolerant, making it ideal for harsh coastal conditions.
It spreads rapidly, so give it space or use it where you want extensive groundcover.
Propagation is easy from seeds or cuttings, which root readily.
It requires minimal watering once established.

This plant is a fantastic alternative for:

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