Description
xNutritious and Hardy Mexican Tree Spinach
Common Names: Chaya, Mexican Tree Spinach, Mayan Spinach, Chaya Col, Tree Spinach
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Origin: Mexico and Central America
Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius), also known as Mexican Tree Spinach, is a fast-growing perennial shrub native to Mexico and Central America. This hardy plant is known for its highly nutritious leaves, which are commonly cooked and eaten like spinach. Chaya is a drought-tolerant, easy-to-grow plant that can thrive in a variety of climates, making it an excellent addition to home gardens. Its high nutritional value, especially in iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C, makes it a valuable leafy green in traditional diets. The plant's leaves must be cooked before consumption to neutralize the naturally occurring toxins, making it a safe and highly nutritious vegetable.
Distinctive Features, Uses, and Nutritional Value
Foliage: Chaya has large, dark green, palmate leaves that resemble those of cassava or castor beans. The leaves are packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and B, calcium, iron, and protein. While the leaves contain a small amount of toxic compounds (cyanogenic glycosides), cooking/blanching them for 10-15 minutes renders them safe to eat.
Flowers: Chaya produces small, white flowers that attract pollinators like butterflies and bees.
Growth Habit: This shrub can grow up to 6-10 feet tall, with a bushy, tree-like growth habit, making it ideal for garden borders, food forests, or as a backdrop in ornamental gardens.
Culinary and Medicinal Uses
Chaya leaves are primarily used in cooking, where they are boiled and served as a green vegetable. The leaves are often added to soups, stews, or mixed with other vegetables. In traditional medicine, Chaya has been used to promote overall health, improve digestion, and treat conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The plant is recognized for its high nutritional value, providing essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to a balanced diet.
Shipping & Return
xORDER PROCESSING TIMES:
Most orders that are placed with us are processed and shipped out within 24 hours. Weekend and Holiday orders will be processed on the next available business day.
SHIPPING:
We use FedEx and USPS Priority Mail to the continental US, Military addresses, Alaska, and Hawaii free of charge. Delivery of your order will be within 2 to 5 business days of the date it is shipped out.
SHIPPING AND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS:
Please verify that your shipping address is correct. Incorrect addresses may result in undeliverable packages or delays. If your address is incorrect, please notify us as soon as possible to avoid an address correction fee. If shipping address is incorrect then a $7.50 address correction fee will be charged. This charge is accessed to us by the carrier service.
SALES TAX:
The Pee Mart charges sales tax on items purchased by customers that have products shipped in the state of Maine. When customers from outside the state of Maine complete a purchase from The Pee Mart, they accept all responsibility of their respective state laws regarding sales and use tax.
OUT OF STOCK ITEMS:
We try very hard to keep all items in stock and available, but sometimes we encounter supply shortages. We attempt to bring product back into our inventory as soon as it is feasibly possible. In these scenarios, the products are unavailable to purchase on our website. We will not backorder product and will ship the entirety of your purchased order upon completion of your payment processing.
LOST OR DAMAGED SHIPMENTS:
If you receive a product that appears to be damaged, contact your local FedEx office or Post Office and have an inspection made. Do not throw away the shipping box or any shipping material, as the carrier will want to inspect it. We will arrange to have the product returned to us. We will then either issue you a credit or replace your item ASAP.
WARRANTY / RETURNS:
The Pee Mart has a 30-day customer satisfaction standard warranty for all items. All sales are considered final after 30 days of receiving product.
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