Malabar Spinach
Malabar Spinach is native to tropical Asia, probably originating in India or Indonesia. Today, it is grown widely in the tropics as a perennial and in warmer temperate regions as an annual. Malabar Spinach plants are green (Basella alba) or purplish (Basella rubra) vines with thick, fleshy leaves exhibiting one of two leaf forms: closely spaced oval to rounded leaves; or, more widely spaced heart-shaped leaves. Most authors agree, however, that the two color forms of Malabar Spinach are not separate species. Perhaps both would best be treated as forms of Basella rubra.
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There are two species of Malabar spinach, Basella alba, which is green, and B. rubra, which has purple stems. The thick mucilaginous leaves are an excellent dark green leafy vegetable for hot and humid climates. Malabar spinach grows as a spreading vine along the ground or climbing on a trellis;...
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Malabar spinach (Basella spp.), also known as Ceylon spinach and Indian spinach, is a climbing perennial plant. The vine is succulent with tender leaves. Malabar spinach grows well in hot, humid climates and is adaptable to most soils. Trellised plants work best from the point of view of flower...
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Abstract,Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2014 Basella alba L. is an important green leafy vegetables found commonly in the tropical regions of the world. The plant is used as a substitute for true spinach (i. e. Spinacea oleracea L.) and also has great ethnomedicinal importance....
A review of the taxonomy, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Basella alba (Basellaceae)
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Abstract, Journal of Horticulture, 2018 This review introduces the taxonomic specifications, botanical properties, ecological demands and information about cultivation, some pharmacognosy and some biochemical contents of Malabar spinach. Malabar spinach (Basella alba L., Synonym: Basella rubra...
A Review on a New Exotic Vegetable for Turkey: Malabar Spinach (Basella alba L. or Basella rubra L.)