Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Lamiales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
basilicum
ID:
253898

Status:
valid

Authors:
L.

Source:
wcs

Year:
1753

Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 597 (1753)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000253230

Common Names

  • Sweet Basil
  • Common Basil
  • Ocimum basilicum

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Synonyms

  • Ocimum album L. [unknown]
  • Ocimum anisatum hort. ex Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum barrelieri Roth [unknown]
  • Ocimum basilicum thyrsiflorum (L.) Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum bullatum Lam. [unknown]
  • Ocimum caryophyllatum Roxb. [unknown]
  • Ocimum chevalieri Briq. [unknown]
  • Ocimum ciliare B.Heyne ex Hook.f. [unknown]
  • Ocimum ciliatum Hornem. [unknown]
  • Ocimum citrodorum Blanco [unknown]
  • Ocimum cochleatum Desf. [unknown]
  • Ocimum dentatum Moench [unknown]
  • Ocimum hispidum Lam. [unknown]
  • Ocimum integerrimum Willd. [unknown]
  • Ocimum lanceolatum Schumach. & Thonn. [unknown]
  • Ocimum laxum Vahl ex Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum majus Garsault [unknown]
  • Ocimum medium Mill. [unknown]
  • Ocimum minus Garsault [unknown]
  • Ocimum nigrum Thouars ex Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum odorum Salisb. [unknown]
  • Ocimum scabrum Wight ex Hook.f. [unknown]
  • Ocimum simile N.E.Br. [unknown]
  • Ocimum thyrsiflorum L. [unknown]
  • Ocimum urticifolium hort. ex Benth. [unknown]
  • Plectranthus barrelieri Spreng. [unknown]
  • Ocimum basilicum album (L.) Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum basilicum majus Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum basilicum glabratum Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum basilicum difforme Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum basilicum purpurascens Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum basilicum densiflorum Benth. [unknown]
  • Ocimum basilicum basilicum [unknown]

Description

Ocimum basilicum (also called Sweet Basil, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is an annual herb, typically growing up to 1 m tall. It is native to the Mediterranean, where it is found in lowland rainforests and on hillsides.

Uses & Benefits

Ocimum basilicum is used as a spice, for flavoring food, and as an herbal remedy for treating colds, coughs, and headaches. It is also used in traditional medicine for treating fever, skin diseases, and as an antidiarrheal.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Ocimum basilicum is a small, white, star-shaped flower with five petals. The seed is a small, black, oval-shaped seed. The seedling is a small, green, oval-shaped seedling with five leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Ocimum basilicum can be propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained soil mix in spring or early summer. Division can be done in spring or autumn. It should be planted in a sunny location with well-drained soil.

Where to Find Ocimum basilicum

Ocimum basilicum is native to tropical regions of Asia.

Ocimum basilicum FAQ

What are the common names of Ocimum basilicum?

Ocimum basilicum is commonly known as Basil.

What is the natural habitat of Ocimum basilicum?

Ocimum basilicum is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

What is the growth habit of Ocimum basilicum?

Ocimum basilicum is an annual herb that grows up to 60 cm tall.

Species in the Ocimum genus

Ocimum africanum, Ocimum albostellatum, Ocimum americanum, Ocimum amicorum, Ocimum angustifolium, Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum burchellianum, Ocimum campechianum, Ocimum canescens, Ocimum carnosum, Ocimum centrali-africanum, Ocimum circinatum, Ocimum coddii, Ocimum cufodontii, Ocimum dambicola, Ocimum decumbens, Ocimum dhofarense, Ocimum dolomiticola, Ocimum ellenbeckii, Ocimum ericoides, Ocimum filamentosum, Ocimum fimbriatum, Ocimum fischeri, Ocimum formosum, Ocimum forskaolii, Ocimum fruticosum, Ocimum grandiflorum, Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum hirsutissimum, Ocimum irvinei, Ocimum jamesii, Ocimum kenyense, Ocimum kilimandscharicum, Ocimum labiatum, Ocimum lamiifolium, Ocimum masaiense, Ocimum mearnsii, Ocimum metallorum, Ocimum minimum, Ocimum minutiflorum, Ocimum mitwabense, Ocimum monocotyloides, Ocimum natalense, Ocimum nudicaule, Ocimum nummularia, Ocimum obovatum, Ocimum ovatum, Ocimum pseudoserratum, Ocimum pyramidatum, Ocimum reclinatum,

Species in the Lamiaceae family

Acanthomintha duttonii, Acanthomintha ilicifolia, Acanthomintha lanceolata, Acanthomintha obovata, Acanthoprasium frutescens, Acanthoprasium integrifolium, Achyrospermum aethiopicum, Achyrospermum africanum, Achyrospermum axillare, Achyrospermum carvalhoi, Achyrospermum ciliatum, Achyrospermum cryptanthum, Achyrospermum dasytrichum, Achyrospermum densiflorum, Achyrospermum erythobotrys, Achyrospermum fruticosum, Achyrospermum laterale, Achyrospermum micranthum, Achyrospermum mildbraedii, Achyrospermum oblongifolium, Achyrospermum parviflorum, Achyrospermum purpureum, Achyrospermum schimperi, Achyrospermum schlechteri, Achyrospermum seychellarum, Achyrospermum tisserantii, Achyrospermum urens, Achyrospermum wallichianum, Achyrospermum scandens, Acinos alpinus, Acrotome angustifolia, Acrotome fleckii, Acrotome hispida, Acrotome inflata, Acrotome mozambiquensis, Acrotome pallescens, Acrotome tenuis, Acrotome thorncroftii, Acrymia ajugiflora, Aegiphila aracaensis, Aegiphila hystricina, Aegiphila aculeifera, Aegiphila alba, Aegiphila anomala, Aegiphila arcta, Aegiphila australis, Aegiphila bogotensis, Aegiphila boliviana, Aegiphila brachiata, Aegiphila bracteolosa,

References