Basella alba. Mayalu/Malabar spinach.

Malabar spinach, Commonly known also as Mayalu, Poi, Pui, Poyi is a perennial vine with fleshy leaves. Leaves and tender stems are used as leafy vegetable. Leaves are also used for making fried pakodas (भजी). It has certain medicinal uses also. There is a green leaf variety and also a variety with purplish stems. The green variety is normally preferred because its leaves are more fleshy. Purple stem variety is a vine with very long stems and can be easily trained on a arch or on a trellis. Green one has more compact growth; but does grow like a climber.

Base

Basella alba Var. Rubra

This plant is easily propagated with stem cuttings or from seeds. Mature fruits are soft and have a single seed. The juice in the fruit has purplish-pink colour. Scientific name of the plant is Basella alba. The one with purple stems is Basella alba Var Rubra. Both belong to Basellaceae family. Common names in India are मायाळू, पुई, वाळी भाजी. It is native to India and Southeast Asia.

Fruit

Crushed fruit