Basella alba
Basella alba
Basella alba, also known as Malabar spinach, vine spinach, or Ceylon spinach, is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 m in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavor and mucilaginous texture.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /bəˈsɛlə ˈælbə/
Etymology
The term Basella alba is derived from the Latin basella, meaning "little pedestal", and alba, meaning "white". This is in reference to the plant's white flowers.
Description
Basella alba is a perennial vine found in the tropics. It is characterized by its heart-shaped or ovate leaves, which are 5–12 cm long and 4–9 cm broad. The flowers are small, white, and have a purple or red center. The fruit is a round, purple berry, containing a large number of seeds.
Culinary Uses
The leaves and stems of Basella alba are edible and used as a leaf vegetable. They are commonly used in stir-fries, soups, and salads. The taste is described as a milder version of spinach.
Medicinal Uses
In traditional medicine, Basella alba is used to treat various ailments. It is used as a diuretic, laxative, and to treat dysentery and catarrh. It is also used in the treatment of ulcers and for wound healing.
Related Terms
- Basellaceae: The family to which Basella alba belongs.
- Spinach: A related leafy green vegetable.
- Perennial plant: A type of plant that lives for more than two years.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Basella alba
- Wikipedia's article - Basella alba
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski