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Ocimum basilicum L.
| Family Name: | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
| Common Name: | Common Basil, Basil, 罗勒, 九层塔 |
Name
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Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial, Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Africa, Asia |
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous plant with erect growth habit and branching stems. |
| Stems | Herbaceous, aromatic stem is 4-sided and hairless (or sometimes slightly hairy). The stem tends to branch. |
| Flowers | Small, white flowers (1 cm long) are composed of an upper and lower lip, the lower lip being slightly larger. White stamens are slightly longer than the lower lip. Terminal inflorescence is composed of flowers in whorled arrangement. |
| Fruits | Small, 1-seeded fruits are known as nutlets. |
| Cultivation | Grow it in a sunny location and regular watering. Prune the plant to encourage the growth of more leafy branches. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb and Spice) [Others]: Fresh or dried leaves commonly used in cooking for their fragrance and flavour, especially in tomato-based dishes like pizzas and sphaghetti. Fresh leaves can can be blended with other ingredients to make pesto sauce used in Italian cooking. Seeds become gelantinous when soaked in water, used in Asian drinks and desserts. Essential oils from plant reported to have anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. Fresh leaves said to have slight numbing effect when chewed, and used to relieve sore throats. Also eaten or drunk as tea to relieve stomach gas and stomach cramps. Essential oils widely used in cosmetics, perfumes and soaps. Ancient Egyptians used oils in embalming fluids for mummies. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Gravity) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Brown |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type 1 | Indehiscent Dry Fruit |
| Fruit Type 2 | Nut / Nutlet |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 980 |
| Species ID | 2274 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
