Tetragonia implexicoma

Tetragonia implexicoma, commonly known as bower spinach, is a species of plant in the Aizoaceae, or ice-plant family. A similar species is Tetragonia tetragonioides, however this species has larger leaves and a shorter flowering time.[1]

Tetragonia implexicoma
Tetragonia implexicoma
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Tetragonia
Species:
T. implexicoma
Binomial name
Tetragonia implexicoma
Synonyms

Distribution and habitat

Bower spinach is found mainly in coastal regions of New Zealand and southern Australia as well as on many nearby island groups. It occupies a variety of habitats from sand and shingle beaches through coastal woodland, shrubland and grassland, and as exposed, salt-pruned vegetation on cliffs and stacks. It may also be found well inland, in farmland where it is grown in barberry hedges, or on calcareous sandstone or limestone outcrops in dense forest.[2]

Tetragonia implexicoma as a groundcover. Located on beach foredune in Carrum.

Description

Bower spinach is a scrambling subshrub that forms dense leafy patches of up to 4 metres (13 ft). The stems are long and trailing, often succulent and coloured red or pink when young, maturing to dark green to brown-black and becoming woody. The leaves are alternate, clustered and fleshy. The yellow flowers are solitary. The fruits are 5–8 millimetres (0.20–0.31 in) long, pink to dark red, succulent berries which are eaten by birds and lizards.[2][3]

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References
  1. Scott, Rob; Blake, Neil; Campbell, Jeannie; Evans, Doug; Williams, Nicholas (2002). Indigenous Plants of the Sandbelt. St Kilda: Earthcare. p. 83. ISBN 0 9581009 0 X.
  2. "Tetragonia implexicoma". Flora details. NZ Plant Conservation Network. 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  3. Longmore, Sue; Smithyman, Steve & Crawley, Matt (2010). Coastal Plants of the Bellarine Peninsula. Bellarine Catchment Network.


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