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''Cnidoscolus aconitifolius'', commonly known as chaya or tree spinach, is a large, fast-growing leafy perennial shrub that is believed to have originated in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico.〔 The specific epithet, ''aconitifolius'', means "''Aconitum''-like leaves". It has succulent stems which exude a milky sap when cut. It can grow to be 6 meters tall, but is usually pruned to about 2 m for easier leaf harvest. It is a popular leaf vegetable in Mexican and Central American cuisines, similar to spinach. The leaves should be cooked before being eaten, as the raw leaves contain a high content of hydrocyanic acid toxic. Up to 5 raw leaves can be eaten a day. One minute of boiling leaves destroys the acid. ==Taxonomy== ''Cnidoscolus aconitifolius'' subsp. ''aconitifolius'' is found from northern Mexico to Guatemala and cultivated as far south as Peru, while ''Cnidoscolus aconitifolius'' subsp. ''polyanthus'' (Pax and K.Hoffm.) Breckon is restricted a small area in western Mexico. Plants in the Chayamansa Group (syn. ''Cnidoscolus chayamansa'') are the most widely cultivated, because they lack stinging hairs on the leaves. It is divided into four cultivars based on leaf morphology: 'Chayamansa' (most common), 'Estrella', 'Picuda', and 'Redonda'.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Cnidoscolus aconitifolius」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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