Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Lamiales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
spectabile
ID:
254188

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Gürke) A.J.Paton

Source:
wcs

Year:
1999

Citation Micro:
Basil : 27 (1999)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000253520

Common Names

  • Ocimum Spectabile
  • Spectabile Basil
  • African Basil

Searching for Ocimum spectabile? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Synonyms

  • Erythrochlamys kelleri Briq. [unknown]
  • Erythrochlamys spectabilis Gürke [unknown]

Description

Ocimum spectabile (also called Spectacular Basil, among many other common names) is an aromatic herbaceous plant native to tropical Africa. It has a woody stem and grows up to 1 meter in height. It prefers moist, well-drained soils in open, sunny areas and is often found in disturbed areas such as roadsides and cultivated fields.

Uses & Benefits

Ocimum spectabile is used as an ornamental plant, for its fragrant leaves and flowers, and as a medicinal plant for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Ocimum spectabile is a white or pale purple color and has a tubular shape. The seed is small and black. The seedlings are small and have a single stem with a few leaves.

Searching for Ocimum spectabile? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Cultivation and Propagation

Ocimum spectabile is a small, annual herb that grows up to 30 cm in height. It has small, white flowers and is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is easy to propagate from seed and can be grown in a variety of soils. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can be grown in containers. It is also tolerant of light frost. It can be propagated by cuttings or division.

Where to Find Ocimum spectabile

Ocimum spectabile can be found in tropical regions of India, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

Ocimum spectabile FAQ

What are the common names of Ocimum spectabile?

Showy Basil, African Basil

What is the natural habitat of Ocimum spectabile?

It is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, from sea level up to an altitude of 2,000 m.

What is the size of Ocimum spectabile?

It is an annual herb, reaching a height of 0.5–1 m.

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

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-137090: Based on the initial data import
Robert Louis August Maximilian Gürke (1854-1911): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Gürke' in the authors string.
Alan James Paton (b.1963): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'A.J.Paton' in the authors string.