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Basella alba L.
Synonym
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Basella alba var. cordifolia
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Family
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Basellaceae
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Local name
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English
- Indian
spinach, Malabar Spinach
Malayalam
- Basalacheera,
Pasalikeera
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Flowering and fruiting period
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December-February
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Distribution
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Native of
Tropical Asia and Africa, often cultivated
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Distribution in Kerala
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All
Districts
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Habitat
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Moist and
dry deciduous forests, also in the plains
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Endemic/Exotic
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Exotic
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Uses
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Leaf
paste is used to treat ulcers, abscesses and boils. The roots are used in
treatment of rheumatism, swelling and anaemia.
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Key
Botanical Characters:
Twining
fleshy herbs; stems terete, glabrous. Leaves 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, united at base; stamens 5, antitepalous, free;
ovary glabrous, 1-celled; ovule 1, styles 3, stigma linear. Utricle globose, fleshy,
white, glabrous.
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