Pretty climbing edible vine. This is not actually a spinach but has similar flavor. The texture is more meaty. Leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked. Use to thicken soups and stir fry's. The plant has medicinal use and the leaves are used to treat Stomatitis-inflamation of the mucous membrane of the mouth. It's also known to inhibit microbial activity, reduce inflammation, and a long list of other health benefits. The fruits mature to a deep purple, it doesn't have any flavor really and makes a good dye in frostings, etc. The seeds can be collected from the ripe fruit, but will turn your hands purple so I just wash them in a bowl of water, then set out to dry, or sometimes I just let the whole fruit dry out with the seeds - either way is fine. They can also be left on the plant to reseed themselves and you will have plants sprouting next year when the weather warms up.

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