www.longdom.org/open-access/a-r...0354-1000239.pdf
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 Roxb.) belongs to the Basellaceae family [1]. Linnaeus has named the plant taxonomically and identified two species as Basella rubra L. and Basella alba L. These two species are differentiated by their leaf characteristics and stem colors [1-4].
Basella alba L. or Basella rubra L. is known as Malabar spinach, Indian spinach, Ceylon spinach, climber spinach and vine spinach [5,6]. Common names are Malabar spinach in English, espinaca blanca de Malabar in Spanish, basella in French, spinacio della cina in Italian and indischer spinat in German [1,7]. It is thought to be originated in India and Indonesia and naturally grown in tropical Asia and tropical Africa [8].