Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Flowers, Herb, Spice, Vegetable
An erect branched woody shrub. The branches are without hairs and smooth. The leaves are without hair and oblong with a more narrow tip and blunt base. The base of the stems is tinged red. The leaf stalk is 1.5 cm long. The leaf blade is 2.5-5 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. The flowers are somewhat purplish with very short stalks. The small nuts are oval and slightly flattened. They are smooth. Plants vary a lot and several varieties have been selected. They can have licorice, cinnamon or lemon flavours and vary in size.
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.
Common Names: Sweet basil, Aapar, Akohoun, Albahaca, Alfavaca, Baabareephool, Babariphool, Babbari, Babui tulsi, Baburi, Bahanda, Bai horapa, Bajiru, Balanoi, Basilico, Basilikum, Bhabri, Bhutulasi, Chi nieng vong, Dag kekigi, Damaro, Daye doye, Dhala tulasi, Dizulu, Feslegen, Funom, Furrunj-mushk, Gong guo, Gulal tulsi, Horapha, Hung que, Jun gai, Kali tulsi, Kama kasturi, Kapur kanti, Karpura tulasi, Kemangi, Koupanouwokou, Luo le, Manglak luk, Manjericao, Marua, Marva, Mayangba, Mili, Munjariki, Naazposh, Nasabo, Navadna bazilika, Nhambairam-queo, Nhambeira, Niazbo, Niyazbo, Panr, Pimpinela, Pin-sein, Pucre, Rau que, Rehani, Reyhan, Rudrajada, Sabza, Sajjagida, Selaseh puteh, Selasi, Selasih, Sisse-djambo, Solasih, Sucora, Surasa, Te marou, Thai basil, Tilshi, Tirnirupachai, Vaipar, Varvara, Vepudupachha, Yabani kekik, Yanchiki panka, Yi ge sa lan, Yungne, Ziyar-aphyu
Synonyms:
Ocimum album L.;
Ocimum americanum Jascq.;
Ocimum anisatum Benth.;
Ocimum barrelieri Roth.;
Ocimum bullatum Lam.;
Ocimum caryophyllatum Roxb.;
Ocimum chevalieri Briq.;
Ocimum ciliare B. Heyne ex Hook. f.;
Ocimum ciliatum Hornem.;
Ocimum citriodorum Blanco;
Ocimum cochleatum Desf.;
Ocimum dentatum Moench.;
Ocimum dichotomum Hochst. ex Benth.;
Ocimum graveolens R.Br.;
Ocimum hispidum Lamk.;
Ocimum integerrimum Willd.;
Ocimum laxum Vah. ex Benth.;
Ocimum majus Garseult;
Ocimum medium Mill.;
Ocimum menthaefolium Benth.;
Ocimum minus Garsault;
Ocimum nigrum Thouars ex Benth.;
Ocimum odorum Salisb.;
Ocimum petitianum Rich.;
Ocimum pilosum Willd.;
Ocimum scabrum Wight ex Hook. f.;
Ocimum thyrsiflorum L.;
Ocimum urticifolium Benth.;
Plectranthus barrelieri Spreng.;