Ocimum tenuiflorum L.

Erect, much branched herb, 30-60 cm, often woody at the base. Stem and branches soft hairy. Leaves membranaceous, elliptic-oblong or elliptic, 3-6 by 1-2.5 cm, obtuse or acute, base cuneate or attenuate, entire; margin elsewhere entire or remotely serrate; pubescent on both surfaces, especially on the nerves underneath; petiole 1-2.5 cm. Verticillasters in slender racemes or panicles 8-10 cm long. Bracts ovate, acuminate, 2-3 mm long, ciliate. Pedicels 3-4.5 mm, pubescent. Calyx 2.5 mm long, in fruit 3-3.5 mm; upper lip sub-orbicular., reflexed, shortly apiculate; lower lip longer than the upper, teeth 4, lanceolate. Corolla lavender or white, 3.5-4 mm long. Filaments exserted, slender, the upper ones with a small bearded basal appendage. Nutlets minute, broadly ellipsoid, 1.2 mm long, smooth, swelling in water.

It is a warm temperate plant. It needs a sunny sheltered position. Soil should be kept moist. In Asia it grows up to 600 m altitude. In China it grows in dry sandy areas. It can grow in arid places. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.

Uses. According to HEYNE ( HEYNE Nutt. Pl. 1927 1328 ) not used as a vegetable, sometimes as a condiment, and with some minor medicinal applications: cold with children, healing wounds, promoting lactation in women, a decoction of seeds said to be a demulcent. Seeds used for cleansing eyes. In Sumatra used with ceremonial offerings to spirits. In the Philippines said that a decoction of leaves is used for aromatic baths and as a remedy against gonorrhoea. In Malaya used against rheumatism.

It is grown from seed. Seeds are sown directly.