[mod.L., ? dim. of L. basis base.] A genus of climbing plants (N.O. Chenopodiaceæ), with smooth fleshy leaves, known as the Malabar Nightshade.
1761. Miller, Gard. Kal. (1775), 24. Plants in the Green-House [in January] … Basella in fruit.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 167. Some of these are used as potherbs; as Basella, Spinage.
