Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, commonly known as chaya, tree spinach, Mayan tree spinach, or spinach tree, is a large, fast-growing and leafy perennial shrub in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae.
The plant is native to Mexico. As with most euphorbias, the plant exudes an irritating, often toxic latex when damaged. The plant is cultivated in warm climates for its leaves that are cooked and eaten like spinach.
Description
The plant can grow up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. The leaves are palmately lobed with three or more lobes that are also lobed themselves, and measure 10–30 cm (4–12 in) across depending on the age and variety.
Small white flowers are arranged in a terminal panicle held well above the surrounding foliage. The ellipsoid seed pods have longitudinal stripes and measure about
As suggested by its Latin name, the species may resemble members of Aconitum.
Similar species
As suggested by its Latin name, the species may resemble members of Aconitum.
Taxonomy
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius subsp. aconitifolius is endemic to northern Mexico south to Belize and Guatemala, and is cultivated in other countries, as far south as Peru, while C. aconitifolius subsp. polyanthus (Pax and K.Hoffm.) Breckon is restricted to a small area in western Mexico.
Plants in the Chayamansa group (syn. C. chayamansa) are the most widely cultivated, lacking stinging hairs on their leaves. There are four predominant cultivars based on leaf morphology, notably Chayamansa (the most common), Estrella, Picuda, and Redonda.
The specific epithet, aconitifolius, refers to the resemblance of the leaves to those of Aconitum species—another well-known dangerous, even deadly, genus of plants.
Etymology
The specific epithet, aconitifolius, refers to the resemblance of the leaves to those of Aconitum species—another well-known dangerous, even deadly, genus of plants.
Distribution
Chaya is believed to have originated in the Yucatán Peninsula of southeastern Mexico, through Central...
