Sprawling Duneweed
Name
Sprawling Duneweed or Kinkelbos
Latin Name
Tetragonia fruticosa
Related Species
The Sea Spinach [Tetragonia decumbens] looks similar but has three winged fruit and grows smaller.
Description
The sprawling duneweed is a sprawling plant with red stems and succulent flat oval leaves. The flowers it bears are very small with a crown of yellow stamens. Leave size 20 mm in length. The leaves and fruit are covered with swollen cells which give it a glistening appearance, which is thought to help reduce water loss in its dry habitat.
Habitat
The sprawling duneweed is a colonising plant and grows abundantly. It can be found on the foredunes along the coasts in South Africa.
Fruit
The fruit is four winged.
Field Notes
Besides being one of the best dune stabilisers, it is also a food and moisture source for grazing game and livestock in South Africa.
