Scientific name: Basella alba L.
Family: Begoniaceae
Synonym: Basella rubra L.
Bengali/Vernacular
name:
Puishak, Poi, Rakto pui (Bengali); Holy-hata (Noakhali).
Tribal name: Pujok dadi (Chakma), Jhum poi shak (Tanchangya),
Kadikkabreng (Chak), Thlawrdawk (Lushai), Cumbishi (Marma), Kantor (Murang),
Anhar (Pangkhoa).
English name: Indian spinach, Sri Lankan spinach, Malabar nightshade.
Description of the plant: A much branched, fleshy twiner, stem green or coloured, twining to the right. Leaves fleshy, simple, petiolate, alternate, exstipule, petioles up to 3 cm long, lamina 10-12 cm long, cordate or ovate, entire. Flowers sessile, regular, bisexual, white, green or reddish, often violet, remaining closed. Fruits berry-like due to the fleshy persistent lobes, black when ripe with red or purplish juice. Seed more or less globose or oblong.
Plant parts used: Leaf.
Medicinal uses: Leaf paste is applied externally to treat boils.
Decoction of leaves is taken to treat constipation.
Leaves are used as a poultice for sores.
Distribution: It is cultivated throughout the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
