The plant database here has two entries for this plant, I had added my pictures to the other entry, but they are both the same plant. The two entries should be merged.
Malabar has a red stem and green stem variety - so maybe that's why there are two entries?
I love this plant because it tolerates (even loves) hot hot humid days. It has basically no pests in MN that like it, and it grows like crazy! The mucous texture to the leaves is a lot like aloe and is thus a little weird raw in salads, but they can't be beat for cooking. They are especially great when stirred in with things like thai basil or curry.
They are a little hard to get to germinate in MN since they need really warm days. You can be patient and wait for June when it is finally warm enough and they will grow like weeds - or you can start them inside and keep them warm. Once it hits August, the cut fruit tossed on the ground tends to start taking root and growing sprouts all on its own. Speaking of, I was told that if you pinch off all the little seed pods before they get a chance to grow, it keeps the leaves more tender. I don't know if this is true because the work involved in pinching off the seeds, which grow on a 1:1 ratio with the leaves, was more than I was willing to take on.
It does like hot weather!
