All this summer rain is keeping local natural areas looking green and lush. Creeks and waterways are flowing well, and lots of plants are producing incredibly large numbers of flowers and fruit. And leaves. Yes, leaves. Lots and lots of leaves.

One plant in particular has me in awe as it produces masses of almost succulent bright green foliage along local creeks. It's the Rainforest Spinach (Elatostema reticulatum), a low-growing native plant that only appears in damp creek-side areas.

Its leaves are absolutely delicious, and the comparison with spinach under-rates it, but unfortunately it is not common in the region and so not that easy to find. 

You might chance upon it along local Illawarra waterways; it seems to prefer relatively undisturbed conditions, so creeks higher up the escarpment away from development are generally more likely to host Rainforest Spinach than those in the more disturbed urban waterways.  

Aaaand...when I say 'eat your spinach' I don't mean chow down on every single plant you might find.

It's best to let remnant plants of Rainforest Spinach alone to do their part in local bushland regeneration. At most, try a tiny corner of one leaf to confirm how delicious this plant is.

A better alternative is to bring Rainforest Spinach back into urban areas by growing it in your garden, on your balcony or even in your living room. As a rainforest species, it copes well with low light levels, and it can also survive in relatively small amounts of soil, just so long as it has good soil moisture.

If you've got a shady damp spot in the garden that isn't suitable for growing conventional gardening greens such as spinach or silverbeet, Rainforest Spinach might be your friend, adding lush greenery as well as tasty goodness.

As the below picture from Berry Plant Propagation Nursery shows, Rainforest Spinach can even do OK in hanging baskets – these are young plants that haven't yet hit their stride. Give it a go and see how it grows.