Annual Herb Height : 6cm to 17cm included Origin : Central and Southwestern Asia Environment : open fields, on fertile sandy loams, high in organic matter, needs moist at ground level Climate : temperate, warm; humid
Notes : Spinach was cultivated in Iran over 2000 years ago. Cultivation in Europe started with Greeks and Romans. The name derives from the Persian word ispanai (green hand) which became spinachia in Latin. The Arabs named it 'Prince of Vegetables'. Spinach can have about double iron content than average vegetables. Their shallow roots can not reach deep water, thus their cultivation requires constant irrigation.