Ocimum basilicum L.
Ocimum basilicum L.
Family: Lamiaceae
Sweet basil, Common basil
Local name (Kannada):
Habit: Herb
Distribution:
Indo-Malesia to Australia.
Use: Medicinal.
Description:
Erect annual herbs, 40-60 cm tall; stem obtusely 4-angular. Leaves opposite, ovate-elliptic, base cuneate, margin entire to distantly crenulate, apex acute. Racemes to 14 cm long. Calyx to 6 mm long, dark purple; tube c. 3 mm long, sparsely strigose; upper lip c. 3 mm long, broadly ovate; lower lip to 4 mm long. Corolla cream, 7-10 mm long; tube c. 4 mm long, inflated below; lobes 5. Stamens 4. Fruiting calyx mucilaginous when wet.