Malabar Spinach or Basella alba is a vigorous climbing Asian vine, and will flourish in heat and humidity. The glossy, thick leaves look like spinach but with mild Swiss chard-like taste. Use the edible fresh leaves in salads or stir-fries. Malabar spinach is a fast-growing vine that has both ornamental and culinary qualities. A native of India, Malabar Spinach is a evergreen tender herb with densely twining, rambling stems will become thick and often require management to keep them in shape.