The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Malabar Nightshade

or Malabar spinach (Basella alba), an annual or biennial climbing plant of the family Basel-laceae.

Malabar nightshade is of Indian origin. It grows 1.5–2 m tall. Its leaves and stem are succulent and fleshy. Malabar nightshade is raised in tropical and subtropical countries for its young shoots, which are boiled and used as a substitute for spinach. The juice of the fruit is used for food dyes.

REFERENCE

Ipat’ev, A. N. Ovoshchnye rasteniia zemnogo shara: Sistematika, biologiia, agrotekhnika i sortovye resursy. Minsk, 1966.

References in periodicals archive

Some species like Basella alba, Ipomoea aquatica, Amaranthus gangeticus and Lagenaria siceraria are sold almost in same amount in both urban and sub-urban markets.

Some vendors marked that in the summer some selected WLVs like Ipomoea aquatica and Basella alba are sold in good amount.

Consumption patterns of wild leafy vegetables (WLVs) in urban and suburban people of Kolkata, West Bengal, India

25.48 [+ or -] 0.12 angustana Wedeliachinensis 57.94 [+ or -] 4.43 Oxalidaceae Averrhoacarambola 71.05 [+ or -] 4.51 Oxalis corniculata 76.11 [+ or -] 19.96 Convolvulaceae Ipomoea batatas 36.83 [+ or -] 5.27 Ipomoea nil 43.30 [+ or -] 3.91 Boraginaceae Carmona microphylla 55.39 [+ or -] 7.95 Bombacaceae Pachiraaquatica 44.91 [+ or -] 2.16 Araceae Colocasiaesculenta 44.70 [+ or -] 1.22 Ericaceae Rhododendron simsii 57.83 [+ or -] 0.63 Magnoliaceae Michelia alba 51.11 [+ or -] 6.33 Caprifoliaceae Lonicera Japonica 39.40 [+ or -] 1.83 Caricaceae Carica papaya 48.03 [+ or -] 6.28 Basellaceae Basella alba 44.51 [+ or -] 2.23 Asclepiadaceae Telosmacordata -- Family Plant species CarE (nmol x [min.sup.-1] x mg[Pro.sup.-1]) biotype Q Cucurbitaceae Cucumis sativus L.

Comparison of detoxification enzymes of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotypes B and Q after various host shifts

Some plants were cultivated like Basella alba, and which was consumed throughout the year or sold, but which was consumed more during times of food scarcity, and formed the main dish in the absence of rice.

These 14 plants are Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus tricolor, Amaranthus viridis, Colocasia esculenta, Eclipta prostrata, Basella alba, Ipomoea batatas, Cucurbita maxima, Dioscorea bulbifera, Diplazium esculentum, Lathyrus sativus, Leucas aspera, Moringa oleifera, and Corchorus capsularis.

Amaranthus tricolor and Basella alba are folk medicinal treatments for anemia.

Correlation between non-conventional plants consumed during food scarcity and their folk medicinal usages: a case study in two Villages of Kurigram District, Bangladesh

EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION APPLICATION ON PRODUCTION AND LEAF MICRONUTRIENT ELEMENTAL CONTENT OF MALABAR SPINACH (BASELLA ALBA L.)

The effects of four fertilizer treatments on yield, plant growth parameters, and leaf elemental micronutrient content of 'Malabar' spinach (Basella alba L.) were evaluated in a Ruston fine sandy loam soil (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Paleudult) at the USDA Small Fruits Research Station in Poplarville, MS.

Agriculture and Plant Science

Although several plants are variously referred to as "spinach," including New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonoides), Malabar Spinach (Basella alba), Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), Mountain Spinach or Orach (Atriplex hortensis), "true" Spinach is Spinacia oleracea, botanical Latin for "this one's edible."

Keeping things green: an ancient plant with staying power, spinach will keep your salad fresh all summer long