Basella alba
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Basella alba

Ceylon spinach
basella
Malabar spinach
vine spinach
pasali
pu tin choi
libato

  family basellaceae 
  genus basella 

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Identification
Genus  Basella Species  alba Variety  Cultivar  Common names  Ceylon spinach   basella   Malabar spinach   vine spinach   pasali   pu tin choi   libato Family  BASELLACEAE Specimen number  S11977 Data source  UnVeg p17
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Annual,Perennial Life span    Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Various Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height    Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Full sun to partial shade Water    Optimal soil texture  Soil texture 26 Acceptable soil pH  Slightly acidic USDA hardiness  Not classified AHS heat zones  Not classified Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  no Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  Basella alba does best in full sun to partial shade. Basella alba is known as pasali in Indian and pu tin choi in Chinese.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  Medicinal parts  Has medicinal uses  no Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes  It has a delicate spinach taste. There are many nutritional properties of merit in Basella alba; for example vitamin A and vitamin C can both be found. Basella (sometimes called Malabar spinach, vine spinach, libato and Ceylon spinach) is most frequently used fresh.
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Seed Pollination method    Planting style  Climbing Crop spacing  1' Row spacing    Cold frame  4 weeks Planting period  Apr 01 - Jun 30 Harvesting period    Frost tolerance  Tender Heat requirement  Warm Fertilizer  No fertilizer Time to harvest  continuous
 
Nutrition
Is edible  yes Culinary uses  Fresh Nutritional value  Vitamin A   Vitamin C Edible parts  Leaves Description of edible parts Flavor / texture  has a delicate spinach taste
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  The optimal planting season is from April to June. When planted agriculturally, space the plants 1' apart. Harden in a cold frame for 4 weeks prior to setting out. It requires warm days for good production. The best harvesting period is continuous. Basella alba is typically propagated by seed.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes 

Page 617 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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