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Basella

Botanical name: Basella

Basella

Botanical name: Basella

Description

Basella are a genus that contains just a handful of species of tropical flowering vines. All but one of these species are native to just Africa or Madagascar. Basella alba is widely grown as a food crop and is a good source of protein and vitamins. The red-stemmed members of this genus were used in the past to make dyes.

Species of Basella

Malabar spinach

Not actually malabar spinach at all, Basella alba is a vining plant that thrives in the heat of summer. It is very prolific in warm weather and the leaves are edible with a peppery citrus flavor. It can be eaten as salad greens or cooked or steamed. In warm climates, this vine can become invasive, although a hard frost will kill it.

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Pinks, cacti, and allies

Family

Basella

Genus

Basella

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