Ocimum basilicum L.

Herbs annual. Stems erect, 20-80 cm tall, apex retrorse puberulent, base glabrous, tinged red, much branched. Petiole ca. 1.5 cm, ± narrowly winged apically; leaf blade ovate to oblong, 2.5-5 × 1-2.5 cm, subglabrous, abaxially glandular, base attenuate, margin irregularly dentate or subentire, apex subobtuse to acute; lateral veins 3-or 4-paired. Thyrses 10-20 cm, puberulent; verticillasters puberulent or densely pilose, approximate apically; bracts sessile, oblanceolate, 5-8 mm, base attenuate, margin ciliate, apex acute, colored. Pedicel ca. 3 mm in flower, to 5 mm in fruit. Calyx campanulate, ca. 4 × 3.5 mm, pubescent outside, pilose at throat inside, tube ca. 2 mm; middle tooth of upper lip widest, ca. 2 × 1 mm, subcircular, concave, apex mucronate; lateral teeth broadly ovate, ca. 1.5 mm, apex acute; lower lip teeth lanceolate, ca. 2 mm, apex spinescent, ciliate; fruiting calyx persistent, conspicuously veined. Corolla purplish or with upper lip white, limb puberulent outside; tube ca. 3 mm, throat ± dilated; upper lip wide, ca. 3 × 4.5 mm, 4-lobed, ± flat; lower lip purple, ca. 6 mm. Stamens free, slightly exserted, posterior 2 dentate, base puberulent. Nutlets dark brown, ovoid, ca. 2.5 × 1 mm, glandular foveolate. Fl. Jul-Sep, fr. Sep-Dec.

A tropical plant. Found at low and medium altitudes throughout the Islands of the Philippines. It suits both the lowlands and the highlands in the tropics. It cannot stand frost. It suits warm and hot climates. It needs some shade in tropical areas. It needs protection from wind. It needs rich moist well drained soil. Soil should be at 25°-30°C for seed to germinate. It grows in savannah woodland. It can grow in arid places. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Uses. Widely used as a condiment. As of O. americanum the nutlets, which swell and become gelatinous in water, are added to cool sweet drinks. They are said to have stimulant, diuretic and demulcent properties. They are also used as an aphrodisiac, for gonorrhoea, diarrhoea, dysentery and constipation. They are especially prescribed in eye sores. Flowers are said to be a remedy for coughs of children.Leaves are used in a decoction as a carminative and stimulant and as a remedy for coughs, in washing ulcers, and for hiccups. Roots are used for bowel complaints of children and as a febrifuge.Flowers of the purple-flowered variety are sometimes deposited on tomb-stones and in offerings. A sacred plant in Hindu religion (tulsi), no doubt derived from its manyfold use.Oils of selasih are used in perfumes; in Java the variety with citrus-scent is estimated ( HEYNE Nutt. Pl. 1927 1336 ). There is also a form with a fennel scent.

It is grown from seed. Seed should be sown 2-3 mm deep and covered with a light sand or soil. Seed germinate within 3-5 days. Seedlings are thinned out to 20 cm apart. Seedlings can be transplanted. If top shoots are picked off, a more bushy plant is produced and flowering is delayed.