Spinach in Haiti appears in two species; épinard A. trisitis, and épinard piquant A. sinosus, and grows as weeds in cultivated fields. Sometimes the spineless species is planted. Within each species, there is a range in coloration from all green to green with red seed heads, petioles, and leaf veins. The cultivated A. trisitis has leaves as long as 10 cm (4 in.) long and 5 cm (2 in.) broad. It is common in the markets. Both species are used as potherbs.
In West Africa, many species of plants both cultivated and wild are used as potherbs - among them the A. spinosus which has been brought from America and naturalized. The Haitians likewise use numerous plants for cooking greens.
A tonic is made with épinard and cane syrup.
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