We planted some spinach last year, they grew, we harvested them and died since they were out of season. But as we speak I checked the garden and these grew in place of them, Bird's Nest Fern is what they're called apparently and I'm wondering if they're edible or not since they were planted from the spinach seeds we sown last year. Thanks in advance for the help!
Agreed with this and the other comment about bolting.
It’s also likely bolting as a last ditch effort to reproduce before it dies. The plant will use its last bit of energy to reproduce when it’s this stressed, maybe you could save some seeds?
I looked up birds nest ferns and it confirmed for me that your plant is indeed very stressed, very cramped and dying spinach. Birds nest ferns don’t have the same veining, and the leaves are waxy/shiny. Google misidentifies plants often.
If you want to eat your spinach, try a leaf before harvesting and if it’s not super bitter I say go for it! The leaves are small and likely mild and tender.
Next time you plant: if you’re using the same pot, plant only (2) spinach seeds about 4-5” apart, as spinach can grow quite large (~6” wide, even bigger if allowed).