Basella alba
Content
Description
Glabrous herb, becoming a slender, twining vine; stems green to red, at first stout, to 2 cm wide, later becoming tall and climbing to ca. 10 m long. Petiole to 8 cm long, sometimes absent; blade broadly ovate to elliptical, to 15 x 15 cm, undulate, apex acute to obtuse or rounded, base cuneate to truncate or cordate. Inflorescence of axillary or subterminal spikes, to 26 cm long; bracts broadly ovate to lanceolate, 1.1-2.3 mm long, acuminate, hyaline, 1-veined; flowers sessile; bracteoles calyx-like, 1-2 mm long, acute. Flowers not scented; tepals red, pink or white, united to above middle, urceolate to cylindrical, oblong to ovate, 2.0-5.2 x 2-2.5 mm long, obtuse; anthers oblong, sometimes subsagittate at base. Baccate drupe globose, when fresh to 7 mm diam., enveloped by enlarged, succulent perianth, dark purple or shining black, with violet juice; seed globose, 4 mm diam.
Distribution
Africa, Guianas present, Old World, Pantropical present, Southeast Asia
Originally native to the Old World (probably Africa and Southeast Asia), now of pantropical occurrence, including the Guianas; cultivated in gardens as a spinach-like potherb; 8 collections examined, all from the Guianas (GU: 5; SU: 2; FG: 1).