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Basella alba
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Family:
BASELLACEAE
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Citation: Basella alba L., Sp. Pl. 272. 1753; Manilal & Sivar., Fl. Calicut 247. 1982; Mohanan, Fl. Quilon Dist. 332. 1984; Babu, Fl. Malappuram Dist. 677. 1990; Sasidh., Fl. Periyar Tiger Reserve 330. 1998; Sasidh., Fl. Chinnar WLS 262. 1999; Sasidh., Fl. Parambikulam WLS 257. 2002; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 598. 2009; Ratheesh Narayanan, Fl. Stud. Wayanad Dist. 675. 2009.
Basella rubra L., Sp. Pl. 272. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 20. 1886; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1185(830). 1925.
Basella alba L. var. rubra (L.f.) J.L. Stewart, Punjab Pl. 177.1869; Subram., Fl. Thenmala Div. 297. 1995.
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Malayalam Name(s):
Basala, Basalacheera, Pasalikeera, Pappadacheera, Vasalacheera
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Tamil name(s):
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English name(s):
Indian spinach, Malabar Spinach
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Description:
Twining fleshy herbs; stems terete, glabrous. Leaves to 5 x 4 cm, ovate, acute or obtuse, rounded at base, thick, fleshy, glabrous; petiole 1 cm long. Flowers in axillary, stout, erect, 3-10 cm long spikes; bracts ovate, bracteoles orbicular; perianth calycine, lobes 5, 4 mm long, united at base; stamens 5, antitepalous, free; ovary glabrous, 1-celled; ovule 1, styles 3, stigma linear. Utricle globose, 5 mm across, fleshy, white, glabrous.
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Habit:
Climber
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Flowering & Fruiting:
December-February
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District(s):
All Districts
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Medicinal:
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Habitat:
Moist and dry deciduous forests, also in the plains
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Distribution:
Native of Tropical Asia and Africa, often cultivated
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Aquatic:
No
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Epiphyte(s):
No
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Saprophyte:
No
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Stem parasite:
No
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Root parasite:
No
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Flower colour(s):
White
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Weed:
No
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Monocot/Dicot:
Dicotyledonous Plants
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Exotic:
Yes
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Garden:
No
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Edible:
No
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Vegetable:
Yes
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Endemic to:
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IUCN status:
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Altitude:
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Localities:
Chengamperu, Alampetty, Kumily, Keerapady, Thenmalai, Kappakada
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