Ceylon spinach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ceylon spinach |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Talinum
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| Species: |
fruticosum
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| Synonyms | |
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Portulaca fruticosa L. |
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Talinum fruticosum is a green plant that grows back every year. It comes from places like Mexico, the Caribbean, West Africa, and parts of Central America and South America. People know it by many names, like Ceylon spinach, waterleaf, and Surinam purslane. In Ghana, it's called Kutu bataw in the Akan language. It's grown a lot in warm, tropical areas because its leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
What it Looks Like
This plant stands tall, usually growing between 30 to 100 centimeters (about 1 to 3 feet) high. It has small, pretty pink flowers and wide, thick leaves that hold a lot of water.
Why People Use It
Talinum fruticosum is a very healthy leaf vegetable. It's full of important vitamins, like vitamins A and C. It also has helpful minerals such as iron and calcium.
However, this plant has something called oxalic acid. Because of this, people who have certain health conditions, like issues with their kidneys or conditions such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis, should be careful or eat less of it.
This plant is grown in many places around the world. You can find it in West Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. It also grows in the warmer parts of North America and South America. In Nigeria, T. fruticosum is one of the most important leafy greens, along with plants from the Celosia family. In Brazil, it grows along the banks of the Amazon River. People there, especially in the states of Pará and Amazonas, eat it often.
Gallery
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Talinum fruticosum in Singapore
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Talinum fruticosum in India
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Talinum fruticosum with buds
See also
In Spanish: Talinum fruticosum para niños
