Fauna
Plant

Malabar Spinach

Basella alba

Also known as Vine Spinach, Ceylon Spinach, Alugbati, Indian Spinach

Malabar spinach is a fast-growing, heat-loving perennial vine native to tropical Asia that thrives in warm summer weather when cool-season leafy greens wither. Its thick, succulent leaves and twining stems climb rapidly up trellises, producing dense spikes of small white or pink flowers followed by deep purple-black berries. Beyond its widespread cultivation, the plant serves as an important heat-tolerant leafy green across tropical and subtropical farming regions worldwide.

Climbing VineHeat-TolerantSucculent
Malabar Spinach reference1 / 7
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
  • Leafminers
  • Snails and slugs
  • Caterpillars
ThreatsFrost, severe drought, pest insects
HabitatsTropical regions, cultivated gardens, moist soils
Life spanPerennial (grown as annual in cold climates)
Classification
  1. OrderCaryophyllales
  2. FamilyBasellaceae
  3. GenusBasella
  4. SpeciesBasella alba
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild plants have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild plants based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Support Structures: Provide a sturdy trellis or fence for the vigorous climbing stems to twine around.
  • Visual Identification: Look for glossy, heart-shaped succulent leaves and dark purple berries along the vine.
  • Frost Protection: Protect or harvest plants before autumn frosts, as freezing temperatures quickly kill the vines.
Related species
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