kōkihi

Tetragonia trigyna | Beach spinach, kōkihi, native spinach

This sprawling, fleshy succulent features reddish stems and heart-shaped, green-red leaves that glisten. It's commonly found on sand dunes, gravel beaches, and rocky areas, bearing yellow flowers followed by dark red, fleshy seeds. Often confused with tutae-ikamoana (Tetragonia tetragonioides), Tetragonia trigyna is best identified by its distinct pink to dark red, fleshy, subglobose fruits. Its bright green leaves offer a lovely crunch and a slightly salty, sea-spray taste, making it a great alternative to garden spinach, though it's a bit tougher. It's best to use only the leaves and cook them a bit longer, similar to kale.