Malabar Spinach (Basella alba)

Family: Basellaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Malabar Spinach or Indian Spinach, Basella alba, is an annual or perennial climbing herb with red or green vines and leaves. The leaves are thick, fleshy, pointed at the tip, and arranged alternately along the vine. Flowers are white, pink, or red in short spikes and are located in the leaf axils. The fruits are round and soft, and can be red, white, or black in colour. The seeds are round and black.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pleasant mild spinach flavour, the leaves can be used as a spinach or added to salads. — Leaves and stem tips - raw or cooked.; A pleasant mild spinach flavour, the leaves can be used as a spinach or added to salads.; Do not overcook the leaves or they will become slimy.; The mucilaginous qualities of the plant make it an excellent thickening agent in soups, stews etc where it can be used as a substitute for okra, Abelmoschatus esculentus.

Habitat & North American Range

Moist places in hedges to elevations of about 500 metres in Nepal. (Zone 9)