Malabar spinach in the Family: Basellaceae (Basella alba) (also Phooi leaf, Red vine spinach, Creeping spinach, Climbing spinach) is a perennial vine where it is widely used as a leaf vegetable. The leaves are slimy like okra and may be used to thicken soups or stir-fries. The plant reseeds itself nicely here in zone 7a Oklahoma and is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 m in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavour and mucilaginous texture. The stem is reddish to purple. The mucilaginous cooked shoots are most commonly used. Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. Thanks for Looking!