====== Okinawan Spinach ======

===== Botanical Information =====
^Botanical Information^^
^Order | Asterales|
^Family | Asteraceae|
^Genus | Gynura|
^Common Name | Okinawan Spinach|
^Species | G. bicolor|

===== Maturity days =====
* 10-20 days for rooting cuttings

===== Planting Months =====
^Planting months^^^^^^^^^^^^
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|X    |X    |X    | X   | X   | X   | X   |X    |X    |X    |X    |X    |

===== Permaculture uses =====
^Permaculture uses^^^
| Usage 1| Usage 2 | Usage 3 |
|ground cover|bee food|edible leaves|

===== Growing condition comments =====
^Growing Condition ^Comment^
|Drought Tolerant |Requires low to moderate levels of water|
|Humidity tolerant |Yes|
|Planting area |Full sun to partial shade|
|Sunlight |4-8 hours of indirect sunlight, may suffer sunburn in more than 4 hours of direct sunlight|

===== Photos =====
^Photos^^
|{{:wiki:okinawan_spinach_1.png?200|}}|{{:wiki:okinawan_spinach_2.jpg?200|}}|

===== Recipes =====

|{{topic>PLANT_PAGE_NAME_recipe&simplelist&nodate&nouser}}|

===== Short comments =====
Perennial green plant, grows in a clump. Leaves are edible (use as a spinach in cooking). Popular in soups, or stir-fry. Minimal pest problems, likes moisture (but is drought hardy). 

Propagates via cuttings. Eaten raw, or lightly cooked (goes slimy if overcooked).

===== General comments =====
=== Ecology ===
Okinawan Spinach is a perennial plant native to Indonesia that prefers warm, wet climates. It forms a dense, low ground cover about 2 feet tall. The plant is relatively pest-free and grows well in subtropical to tropical climates.

=== Uses ===
Okinawan Spinach can be used as an edible landscaping plant, ground cover, and ornamental plant due to its attractive two-tone leaves. It's also suitable for container gardening and hanging baskets.

=== Food ===
The young leaves and shoot tips are edible and can be used raw in salads, cooked in stir-fries, soups, stews, or steamed. The leaves have a crisp, nutty taste with a faint hint of pine. It's a nutritious vegetable high in vitamin A, vitamin C, protein, fiber, and calcium.

=== Planting Depth ===
Cuttings should be planted 2-3 inches deep.

=== Inoculant ===
Not typically required.

=== Seed Saving Tips ===
Okinawan Spinach rarely produces viable seeds and is commonly propagated from cuttings.

===== Tags =====
{{tag>
Asterales
Asteraceae
Gynura
Okinawan_Spinach
Perennial 
Bee_food 
Full_sun 
Wicking_bed 
townsville_summer 
Garden_bed 
Ground 
chop_and_drop 
edible_leaves
}}