Malabarinpinaattio – Basella alba

Green or purplish stems are hairless, thin and twining. The plant forms runners which take root and form new plants. Leaves are ovate to cordate with a slightly wavy leaf margin (5-15 cm long, 4-10 cm wide). They have a thick cuticle (waxy,protective outer layer). Inconspicuous, egg-shaped flowers (3-4 mm long) are arranged in a spike inflorescence. The bisexual flowers have 3 styles and 5 stamens. Fruits are purplish black, round to slightly flattened, fleshy and considered a pseudo-berry (4-7 mm long, 5-10 mm wide).