Alternanthera sissoo

hort.

Sissoo, Samba lettuce

Amaranthaceae Edible: Leaves, Caution 186 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Alternanthera sissoo is a fast-growing evergreen perennial reaching 0.4 m in height and spread. It adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage, growing in full shade to full sun in mildly acidic to alkaline conditions. The plant prefers moist soil and attracts wildlife. Hardy to UK zone 10.

Description

A ground cover plant. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30 cm tall. The leaves are crinkly and the plant forms roots at the nodes. It can form a ground cover.

Edible Uses

Leaves are cooked and used as a spinach. Shoots are harvested when 15–25cm long; frequent harvesting encourages new growth and improves overall yields.

Traditional Uses

The leaves contain oxalates so should be boiled. If they still irritate the throat change the cooking water.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in light shade. Brisbane Botanical Gardens. Cairns Botanical gardens.

Where It Grows

Australia, Brazil, FSM, Hawaii, North America, Pacific, Pohnpei, South America, Tuvalu, USA,

Cultivation

Plants can thrive in 50% or more shade. Prefers a well-drained soil with a high organic content. It is a fast-growing, spreading plant, but it does not produce seeds and is not considered to be invasive. The plant can suffer severe insect damage to the leaves in some areas. Leaves can be harvested year-round, but they are typically best harvested in spring and summer when young and tender. Brazilian Spinach flowers from late summer to autumn. It can serve as ground cover, helping to prevent soil erosion and improve soil quality. Brazilian Spinach grows quickly and can reach maturity in about 3 to 4 months under favourable conditions.

Propagation

This plant does not produce seed. Propagate by cuttings, which root very easily.

Other Uses

Rated as a good (3/5) utility plant. It grows quickly and works well as a weed-suppressing ground cover and barrier plant. The leaves are edible and may provide food for some wildlife, though the plant does not offer significant nesting or roosting habitat. Alternanthera species are not noted for high nectar or pollen production, do not meaningfully contribute to invertebrate overwintering sites or leaf litter, and have no notable pest-confusing properties. Suited to food forest and ground cover roles.

Notes

Named unsure - not in "The Plant List".

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Leaves	—	—	—	—	—	3	9	—

Synonyms

Alternanthera sessilis

Also Known As

Brazilian spinach, Sabu spinach.

References (4)

ECHO,
Kuhnlein, H. V., et al, 2009, Indigenous Peoples' food systems. FAO Rome p 120
Lyons, G., et al, 2020, Macro- and Micronutrients from Traditional Food Plants Could Improve Nutrition and Reduce Non-Communicable Diseases of Islanders on Atolls in the South Pacific. Plants 2020, 9, 942
Thaman, R. R, 2016, The flora of Tuvalu. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 611. Smithsonian Institute p 60