I Saw These Seeds And Couldn't Say No: Basella Alba

I was at the hardware store, the National Sunday Activity here in Australia, and I saw these Basella Alba seeds. They were tucked away on the "world kitchen" rack the staff like to move around and leave in dark corners or behind other shelves, I just had to buy them.

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_{Scuff the surface of the seed to speed up germination.}

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Basella Alba "Malabar Greens" is a perennial climbing spinach native to the Indian Subcontinent, but found widely throughout the Tropics.

Also known as Ceylon Spinach, it's a standout where I live because regular Spinach becomes bitter, or just dies, in the high average temperatures of this climate. With 24 hour summer time temps above 32°C (90°f) for up to 30 days consecutively the Malabar Greens stay sweet and crunchy.

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_{I will plant four today and again next month.}

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They can be used raw, in a stir fry or any other method where you'd usually use spinach. Other usage of Malabar Greens:

Included in a mix with Hibiscus Macranthus to increase fertility (testosterone).

Others say that the fruit juice of Basella Alba is a treatment for Conjunctivitis.

A paste made from the ground Roots used for Rheumatic pain and Swelling, which eventually, I will certainly try.

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_{Also bought some shallots as we eat these everyday.}

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To treat insect bites, the flowers are known to have an antidote effect.

The Fruit Sap is used as a food colouring and the Purple Colour can be enhanced by combining Lemon Juice.

Leaves are often used as a Tea.

Further reading at Basella Alba Wiki and herbpathy.(citations)

So another very handy plant for me to try, I'm looking forward to sharing the journey with you, so expect regular updates as it grows. My new second favourite Alba!

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