There are apparently two types of vining "spinach" New Zealand spinach and Malabar Spinach. The so-called "New Zealand spinach" is Tetragonia expansa, a member of the Aizoaceae (carpetweed) family and is not a variety of spinach, Spinacia oleracea. New Zealand spinach is a large, much branched, spreading plant that produces a succession of small, very thick, and fleshy pointed leaves on round, fleshy stems. The leaves and tips of the branches are used like spinach. This plant will be damaged by cold weather, so in the fall you should plant the real spinach, which survives mild winters. Basella alba or malabar spinach is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 m in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavor and mucilaginous texture. Seeds will germinate the next seasonal and can become a weed problem.

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