A member of the family Convolvulaceae, water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is grown for its tender shoots and is an invasive species in some aquatic areas outside of its native range. Komatsuna, sometimes called Japanese mustard spinach (Brassica rapa variety perviridis), is a hardy leaf vegetable of the family Brassicaceae.
What family does spinach belong to?
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia.It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae.Its leaves are a common edible vegetable consumed either fresh, or after storage using preservation techniques by canning, freezing, or dehydration.It may be eaten cooked or raw, and the taste differs considerably ...
Is Spinach part of the nightshade family?
Spinach is in fact part of the nightshade family along with many other types of foods such as ground cherries, bamboo shoots, eggplant, tomatoes, yams, sweet potato, peppers, plantains, okra, paprika, and many more. Those who want to stay as healthy as possible will definitely want to include plenty of different fruits and vegetables from the nightshade family, simply because they are known for being especially healthy and nutritionally beneficial.
Is Spinach the same as Kale?
TBH, kale and spinach are pretty similar. If you want to get down to the nitty gritty, though, kale has more vitamin C and A than spinach, and “spinach edges out kale for folate, vitamin K, and iron,” says Armul. But both are low in calories, versatile, and grow all-year-round.
Is Spinach in the cabbage family?
These cool-weather cole crops are members of the cabbage family (“cole” comes from caulis, the Latin name for cabbage). Simply so, is Swiss chard in the Brassica family? Spinach (Spinacea oleracea), Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis), and kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) are the major leaf vegetables.
What vegetable family does spinach belong to?
Kale is a proud member of the Brassica family and is related to broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Spinach, on the other hand, is in the same family with beets and the chards. What vegetables are in the potato family?Apr 19, 2020
What else is in the spinach family?
Perpetual spinach, a variety of chard (Beta vulgaris), is also of the family Amaranthaceae. Many other species are unrelated to true spinach, but are often similar in flavour and use. Longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens), a vining plant native to parts of Asia and Africa, and Okinawan spinach (G.
What vegetable is similar to spinach?
Sometimes, people are forced to choose alternatives for spinach when cooking. The best alternatives for spinach when cooking include kale, swiss chard, arugula, romaine lettuce, and escarole. These alternatives have similar nutrients to spinach like vitamin A, K, iron, and calcium.
Are spinach and lettuce in the same family?
Spinach is not just another form of lettuce or even a closely related species to lettuce, it is actually from a completely different family. Spinach is from the Amaranth family, which contains plants such as beetroot, chard, and mangel-wurzel.Sep 25, 2021
Are zucchini and eggplant in the same family?
While eggplant is occasionally called a squash, it has no relation to zucchini or the rest of the squash family. There are also several varieties of eggplant often grown for their beauty rather than their fruits, making them wonderful ornamentals.Mar 3, 2022
Is kale in the same family as spinach?
Kale is in the brassica family, like collards, so it's related to cabbage, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. It's not related to spinach, which is in the beet family.Oct 31, 2014
How do I identify green leafy vegetables?
When you're at the market or grocery store, you want to look for fresh greens: crisp, rich in color, and not wilted. Avoid any bunch with slimy or yellowing or brown leaves: They'll taste bitter when cooked and also might cause the whole bunch to spoil faster than normal.
Is Silverbeet a spinach?
Silverbeet is a close relative of spinach and beetroot, and is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean. Silverbeet is best cooked. Remove stalks, slice and use rinsed silverbeet in stir-fries, quiches or filo parcels with feta cheese.
Which is healthier spinach or broccoli?
Summary. Broccoli is richer in carbohydrates, zinc, calcium, vitamin C, vitamins B1 and B5. On the other hand, spinach is higher in iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, folate, carotene, and vitamin K. Moreover, spinach is cheaper than broccoli.
Are spinach and broccoli related?
All of these vegetables are, in fact, the same species, Brassica oleracea. They all stem (if you'll pardon the pun) from a wild mustard plant that has been bred in various ways to enhance nutrition or yield, or make it easier to grow and harvest.
Is spinach in cabbage family?
These are the vegetables, also called brassica vegetables, whose four-petal flowers form the shape of a cross – cruciferous means "cross-bearing." Cruciferous vegetables include Swiss chard, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, watercress, radish, rapini, arugula, spinach, turnip, kale, and bok choy.
Is baby spinach a type of lettuce?
Lettuce and baby spinach are similar in many aspects. These two vegetables are the two primary ingredients used as foundations when preparing a salad. Some lettuce types and all baby spinach are leaf vegetables.
Overview
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae. Its leaves are a common edible vegetable consumed either fresh, or after storage using preservation techniques by canning, freezing, or dehydration. It may be eaten cooked or raw, and the taste differs considerably…
Etymology
Originally from Persian aspānāḵ, entering into the European languages by way of Latin, which received it from Arabic. The Hindi word “Palak” also has its roots in Persian. The English word "spinach" dates to the late 14th century from espinache (French: épinard).
Taxonomy
Common spinach (S. oleracea) was long considered to be in the family Chenopodiaceae, but in 2003 that family was merged into the Amaranthaceae in the order Caryophyllales. Within the family Amaranthaceae sensu lato, Spinach belongs to the subfamily Chenopodioideae.
Nutrients
Raw spinach is 91% water, 4% carbohydrates, 3% protein, and contains negligible fat. In a 100 g (3.5 oz) serving providing only 23 calories, spinach has a high nutritional value, especially when fresh, frozen, steamed, or quickly boiled. It is a rich source (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, iron and folate. Spinach is a moderate source (10-19% of DV) of the B vitamins, riboflavin and vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, a…
History
Spinach is thought to have originated about 2,000 years ago in ancient Persia from which it was introduced to India and ancient China via Nepal in 647 AD as the "Persian vegetable". In AD 827, the Saracens introduced spinach to Sicily. The first written evidence of spinach in the Mediterranean was recorded in three 10th-century works: a medical work by al-Rāzī (known as Rhazes in the West) and in two agricultural treatises, one by Ibn Waḥshīyah and the other by Qusṭus al-Rūmī. S…
Production, marketing, and storage
In 2018, world production of spinach was 26.3 million tonnes, with China alone accounting for 90% of the total.
Fresh spinach is sold loose, bunched, or packaged fresh in bags. Fresh spinach loses much of its nutritional value with storage of more than a few days. Fresh spinach is packaged in air, or in nitrogen gas to extend shelf life. While refrigeration slows this effect to about eight days, fresh s…
In popular culture
The comics and cartoon character Popeye the Sailor Man has been portrayed since 1931 as having a strong affinity for spinach (namely the canned variety). He becomes physically stronger after consuming it. The accompanying catchphrase is: "He's strong to the finich (sic), 'cuz he eats his spinach." This is usually attributed to the iron content of spinach, but in a 1932 strip, Popeye says "spinach is full of vitamin A an' tha's what makes hoomans (sic) strong and helty (sic)".
See also
• Green leafy vegetable
• Ipomoea aquatica
• Kale
• Mountain spinach
• Palmer amaranth