Spinach (Spinacia oleracea? L), also known as Persian cuisine, red root cuisine and parrot cuisine, belongs to the genus Spinach and Millet of Chenopodiaceae. The height of the plant can reach 1 m, the root is conical, reddish, less white, the leaves are halberd-shaped to oval, bright green, whole or with a few toothed lobes. There are many kinds of spinach, which can be divided into spiny and spiny varieties according to seed morphology.
Spinach is native to Iran and widely cultivated in China. It is one of the most common vegetables.
The source of spinach can be traced back to Persia (present-day Iran) in West Asia 2000 years ago, and passed through North Africa, and spread to Western Europe and Spain by Moors. According to Don Yao Hui, spinach seeds were introduced into China from Nepal as a tribute during the reign of Emperor Taizong.
Spinach is native to Iran in West Asia and has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. There are two diploid related species of spinach in India and northeast Nepal, which are the original types of spinach.
Tang Yaohui written by wang pu (922 ~ 982) in the Song Dynasty (written in two years, 96 1) wrote: "During the reign of Emperor Taizong, Nipo Luowei (now Nepal) presented a pineapple, which looked like red, blue and thistle. When cooking with fire, it can be beneficial to food. "
According to the Biography of the Western Regions written by Ouyang Xiu in the 5th year of Jiayou (1060), in the 21st year of Zhenguan (647), Emperor Taizong sent envoys from Nibo Luorun to present a pineapple to the Tang Dynasty. There is also a saying in history that spinach was introduced from the West (Persia).
Wei Xuan, a scholar in the Tang Dynasty, recorded in "Tales of Liu Binke": "The person who served the main course came from the western regions, where monks brought it." Jia You Lu, written by Su Xun (1009 ~ 1066) in the Northern Song Dynasty, recorded that spinach came from two different places.
According to comprehensive historical data, spinach was first introduced into China from Central Asia and South Asia, and then introduced through official and non-governmental channels. It was introduced in the Sui and Tang Dynasties at the latest in the 7th century, and has been cultivated in China for thousands of years.
In the Song Dynasty, Su Shi (1037-101year) wrote a poem: "The cold in the north is endless, and the bottom of the snow is like armor. I don't know that I am rich in winter vegetables, and the frost leaves are colder. " As can be seen from the poem, spinach was widely planted in Shu at that time and could be produced in the open field in winter.
Spinach was first introduced to China, and round spinach was introduced from Europe in modern times.
Spinach was introduced to Spain in 1 1 century, then to European countries, Britain and the United States in 1568 century. At present, it is widely cultivated all over the world, and it is planted all over China.