It is cultivated for its leaves.
The pant needs 30 to 50 days from seed before its leaves are ready to harvest. It grows 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) tall, and spreads out 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm.) The stems are woody, with triangular-shaped, green leaves whose saw-toothed edges are reminiscent of holly leaves in their shape.
The plant produces red berries that some have thought look vaguely like strawberries (though they actually look far more like raspberries or mulberries. ) The berries don’t have any taste and have lots of seeds in them, but they are juicy, and some people eat them anyway. The berries can be used as a dye.
The leaves can be cooked or used fresh.
The seed, soaked overnight, then rinsed, then cooked and dried, can be ground into a flour.
History Notes
Native to Africa, Asia and Europe. Has naturalized itself in North America.
Language Notes
“Blite” in one of its synonyms comes from the Greek word “bliton”, meaning a plant with edible leaves.