A member of the Chenopodiaceae family, it is a relative of the beet and swiss chard. Spinach is believed to have originated in the Middle East and was eventually brought to this country by the Spaniards. The plants are grown from seed and harvested while young and tender. Varieties differ in leaf shape from smooth and broad arrow- shaped to savoyed or wrinkled.
Plants form a rosette of medium to dark green leaves on a very short stem.
For greens, plants are harvested by cutting near the ground level before the stem grows very long. Spinach contains oxalic acid, giving it a slightly bitter taste, which is prized by some while others find it disagreeable. Although the marketing season for greens begins in late fall and lasts until spring, December through April are peak months. Very little spinach is grown for commercial use in Florida anymore. California is the leading producer of spinach for the fresh market.