Hablitzia tamnoides aka Caucasian Spinach

Hablitzia tamnoides, or Caucasian spinach, is a climbing herbaceous perennial. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and loses its leaves each year. Kew lists its range from the eastern Aegean islands through Türkiye to northwestern Iran. Plants For A Future also records it across the Caucasus. There, it grows in moist woods, including spruce and beech woods. It also grows among rocks, in ravines, and beside rivers.

In gardens, this climber reaches about 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres]. The RHS describes plants reaching around 11.5 feet [3.5 metres]. Its spread is much narrower, at 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Plants take two to five years to reach their full size. The leaves have a heart shape, and young shoots are edible. Small flowers appear in late spring and early summer. They have a star shape and a greenish-yellow colour.

Grow it in sun or partial shade, with shelter. It suits moist loam that drains well. The RHS recommends soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. Avoid ground that stays waterlogged during winter. Give the stems a tree, trellis, wigwam, or pergola to climb. The RHS rates its hardiness as H6. This covers winter lows of about −20 to −15°C. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 3–9. These ratings use different systems, but both support its cold hardiness.

This plant serves as both a food crop and a garden climber. Gardeners first brought it to Finland, Sweden, and Norway for ornament. Plants For A Future also lists it for food forests. Its mild leaves taste like spinach and can be eaten raw or cooked. Use them in salads, soups, pies, or other cooked dishes. Young shoots are edible too. Plants For A Future gives it an edibility score of four out of five. That source reports no known hazards, but provides no pet-specific safety details. It lists no known medicinal uses.

Routine care does not call for pruning, according to the RHS. Seed provides a way to raise new plants. Most plants have few pest or disease problems. Slugs and snails may eat the fresh growth in spring. The RHS otherwise describes it as largely free of pests and disease. Plants For A Future does not flag it as a weed risk.