CHENOPODIACE^ 299 



(Fig. 118, A) have a two- to four-divided perianth which en- 

 closes the fruit. The single ovary bears four to five stigmas, 

 united at the base. The mature fruit (Fig. ii8, C, D) is a 

 utricle consisting of a compressed seed surrounded by the 

 cartilaginous calyx lobes, which are either smooth or spiny, 

 and by a membranous pericarp. The seed is compressed, 

 about the size of beet seed, and has an annular embryo 

 surrounding the floury endosperm. 



Spinach is a native of southwestern Asia. It has become 

 widely spread in cultivation. It is a cool-season crop re- 

 quiring an abundance of water. It runs to seed in warm 

 weather. 



Other Plants Named "Spinach." — There are two types 

 of "spinach" which do not belong to the genus Spinacia: 

 New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia expansa) and Mountain 

 spinach, or orache (Atriplex hortensis). New Zealand 

 spinach or New Zealand ice plant, is a member of the family 

 Mesembryaceae, and a native of New Zealand. It is grown 

 as summer "greens." The plant is low, but profusely 

 branching and spreading; the numerous, upright lateral 

 branches are beset with tender leaves; the tips of these 

 branches are the edible portion of the plant. The alternate 

 triangular leaves are rather fleshy; the flowers are axillary, 

 small, yellowish green, and without petals; the fruit is 

 nut-like, and has one to nine locules, each of which is one- 

 seeded. Mountain spinach or orache is more closely re- 

 lated to the common species, belonging in fact, to the same 

 tribe. It is a plant 4 to 6 feet tall, branching, and bears an 

 abundance of fruit. It not only differs from common spin- 

 ach in its more erect habit but in its floral and fruit characters. 

 The pistillate flowers do not have a perianth, but in fruit 

 the seed is enclosed by a pair of compressed bracts which 

 become enlarged and wing-like. 



