Indian Spinach

INTRODUCTION TO LESSER KNOWN

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT SPECIES OF KERALA

                      VOL. 2

Common Name: -    Indian Spinach (Malabar Spinach) 


Botanic  Name:- Baslla alba.   


Malayalam Name:- Vashala Cheera.

                     Indian spinach (Malabar spinach) is a Perennial, fast-growing, soft-stemmed climbing vine, can often be found climbing walls or fences . It is entirely different from “real" spinach because it belongs to a different plant family. But when cooked it looks and tastes similar to true spinach. Its leaves are Green, thick and semi-succulent. The stalks are green or purple in colour.

Nutritional Value (per 100g food) :-

                                                        Energy :275 Calories.

                                                        Protein : 20g.

                                                        Carbohydrate : 54g.

                                                        Fiber : 9g.

                                                        Calcium : 300mg.

                                                        Vit. A : 50mg.

                                                        Vit. B1 : 0.7mg.

                                                        Vit.B2 : 1.8 mg.

                                                        Vit. C :  1200mg.

Food Value:-

                       Leaves and stem tips of Indian spinach is used for cooking. It is usually cooked and eaten as a vegetable just like true spinach. It can be combined in many different vegetable dishes, and is sometimes even eaten raw in salads.

Medicinal Value :-

                      Paste of the leaves are used for treating boils.

Cultivation Method:-

                      The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained but moist soil. It cannot grow in the shade. Raw seeds or stem  are used for cultivation.