Chaya, Tree-spinach
A tropical plant. It needs moderate moisture. It needs an average well-drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It often grows in dry regions but is also adapted to the hot humid tropics. It normally grows at low altitudes.
Also known as:
Cabbage-star, Cansancao, Chaya, Chayamansa, Chicasquil, Copapayo, Devil nettle, Mayan spinach, Taya, Tree-spinach
Synonyms
- Cnidoscolus aconitifolius var. aconitifolius
- Cnidoscolus chaya Lundell
- Cnidoscolus chayamansa Mc Vaugh
- Cnidoscolus fragrans (Kunth) Pohl
- Cnidoscolus longipedunculatus (Brandegee) Pax & K. Hoffm.
- Cnidoscolus napifolius (Desr.) Pohl
- Cnidoscolus palmatus (Willd.) Pohl
- Cnidoscolus quinquelobatus (Mill.) Leon
- Jatropha aconitifolia Mill.
- Jatropha aconitifolia var. multipartita Mull. Arg.
- Jatropha aconitifolia var. palmata (Willd.) Mull. Arg.
- Jatropha aconitifolia var. papaya (Medik) Pax
- Jatropha deutziiflora Croizat
- Jatropha fragrans Kunth
- Jatropha longipedunculata Brandegee
- Jatropha napifolia Desr.
- Jatropha palmata Willd.
- Jatropha palmata Sesse & Moc. ex Cerv.
- Jatropha papaya Medik.
- Jatropha quinqueloba Sesse
- Jatropha quiquelobata Mill.
- Jatropha urens var. inermis Calvino
- Jatropha urens var. longipedunculata Brandegee
Edible Portion
- Leaves, Vegetable
Where does Chaya grow?
Found in: Africa, Belize, Brazil, Central America, Cuba, East Africa, El Salvador, FSM, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Kiribati, Mexico, Mozambique, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, South America, Tuvalu, United States, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe
Notes: There are 75 Cnidoscolus species. There are 65 Cnidoscolus species in tropical America. It has high food value.
Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Growing Chaya, Tree-spinach
Cultivation: Plants are grown from cuttings. Thick cuttings can be slow to root and thin cuttings can rot. It is best to allow the cutting to dry for a day or two before planting to avoid rotting. They can be planted at any time of the year. Cuttings from 10 cm to 1 m can be used. They can be planted directly into well drained soil that is not too wet. The plants can be used as a hedge.
Edible Uses: The leaves are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. Gloves are used in harvesting to avoid stinging hairs. The leaves are chopped and then boiled for about 20 minutes. They can be used in soups and stews. CAUTION: The leaves contain a toxin which is removed by boiling. This hydrocyanic acid is removed by boiling for at least 2 minutes.
Production: It is slow to establish. Sprouting can take 2-6 weeks. After the first year plants can be pruned regularly. The leaves can be harvested year round. From a well established plant, leaves can be harvested several times each week almost continually.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
References
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Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 71:466. 1944 (As Cnidoscolus chayamansa)
Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 2. Kew.
Contr. Gray Herb. 68:86. 1923
de Polle, E., Plantas Silvestres Comestible de Guatemala. 1(1) Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.
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FAO, 1993, Valor Nutritivo Y Usis en Alimantacion humana de Algunis Cultivos Autoctonos Subexplotados de Mesoamerica. FAO, Santiago, Chile. p 58
Gard. dict. ed. 8: Jatropha no. 6. 1768 (As Jatropha aconitifolia)
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Kuti, J. O., and Konuru, H. B., 2004, Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Content in Leaf Extracts of Tree Spinach (Cnidoscolus spp.). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 52: 117-121 (As Cnidoscolus chayamansa)
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NYBG Herbarium "edible"
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