| Basellaceae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Basella alba (rubra) from Blanco (c. 1880) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Basellaceae Raf.[1] |
| Genera | |
See text | |
Basellaceae is afamily offlowering plants in the orderCaryophyllales, in thecladecore eudicots, according to theAngiosperm Phylogeny Group. The family comprises 19 known species of herbaceous plants in four genera:[2]
All the species are climbing or trailing vines. Two species cultivated as food –Basella alba (Malabar spinach) andUllucus tuberosus (ulluco) – have been bred to a more erect, compact form. Three species growtubers –Anredera cordifolia andA. vesicaria produce them in theleaf axils or at the base of the stem andU. tuberosus at the end ofstolons. Leaf blades vary in shape between species, within species, and even on an individual plant.[3]
The two cultivated species are of economic importance.
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