Malabar Spinach
Plant Identification, Cultivation and History
Basella alba is an edible perennial vine in the family Basellaceae. It is found in tropical Asia and Africa where it is widely used as a leaf vegetable. It is known under various common names, including vine spinach, red vine spinach, climbing spinach, creeping spinach, buffalo spinach, malabar spinach and ceylon spinach among others.[1][2][3]
Basella alba is native to the Indian Subcontinent, southeast Asia and New Guinea. It is reportedly naturalized in the China, Czech Republic(?), tropical Africa, Brazil, Belize, Colombia, the West Indies, Fiji and French Polynesia.[4]
Source: Ask.com
Nutrition
Vinespinach, (basella), raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 79 kJ (19 kcal)
Carbohydrates
3.4 g
Fat
0.3 g
Protein
1.8 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv. (50%) 400 μg
Thiamine (B1) (4%) 0.05 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (13%) 0.155 mg
Niacin (B3) (3%) 0.5 mg
Vitamin B6 (18%) 0.24 mg
Folate (B9) (35%) 140 μg
Vitamin C (123%) 102 mg
Trace metals
Calcium (11%) 109 mg
Iron (9%) 1.2 mg
Magnesium (18%) 65 mg
Manganese (35%) 0.735 mg
Phosphorus (7%) 52 mg
Potassium (11%) 510 mg
Zinc (5%) 0.43 mg
Link to USDA Database entry
Units
μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams
IU = International units
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database