Spinacia oleracea

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

  • Botanical Name : Spinacia oleracea L.
  • Common Name : Spinach, Paalak
  • Plant Family : Amaranthaceae
  • Plant Form : Herb
  • Occurrence (Sectors) : 4, 26, 28

About Spinacia oleracea Plant :

  • Habit : A small, erect, annual herb with stem succulent, smooth, piped, reddish.
  • Leaves : Alternate, the lower ones very long petioled, variously lobed with lobes of an acute triangular shape, smooth.
  • Flowers :
    • Male flowers on long terminal, globose spikes and short axillary spikes, very numerous and sessile.
    • Perianth 4-parted.
    • Stamens 4, anthers 2 celled, very large, female flowers axillary, sessile, crowded.
    • Perianth 2-tipped with a projecting horn in each side, growing into spines when the seed is ripe. Ovary 1-ceclled, styles 4, white, tapering.
  • Fruit : Capsule armed with 2 opposite short horns and crowned with small remaining perianth.
  • Flowering and Fruiting Time : December - February
  • Significance :
    • Commonly cultivated for its leaves which are eaten as bhaji.
    • It is very cooling, wholesome, antiphretic, laxative, digestible, purify blood and useful in urinary diseases.