Basella alba

Basella alba is an edible perennial vine in the family Basellaceae. It is found in tropical Asia and Africa where it is widely used as a leaf vegetable. It is native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and New Guinea. It is reportedly naturalized in China, tropical Africa, Brazil, Belize, Colombia, the West Indies, Fiji and French Polynesia.[1]

Basella alba is known under various common names, including Malabar spinach, vine spinach, and Ceylon spinach.[2][3][4] In Tamil it is called pasalakeerai.

Basella alba is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 metres (33 ft) in length.[citation needed] Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavour and mucilaginous texture. It is rich in vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. It has been shown to contain certain phenolic phytochemicals, and it has antioxidant properties.[citation needed]

It is also called Malabar spinach. There are two varieties – green and red. The stem of the Basella alba is green with green leaves and the stem of the cultivar Basella alba ‘Rubra’ is reddish-purple; the leaves form green and as the plant reaches maturity, older leaves will develop a purple pigment starting at the base of the leaf and work towards the end. The stem when crushed usually emits a strong scent. Malabar spinach can be found at many Asian supermarkets, as well as farmers’ markets.