BASIL
ocimum basilicum
Labiatae



DESCRIPTION
Common or Sweet Basil which is used
in medicine and for culinary purposes, especially in France,
is a hairy, labiate plant, growing about 3 feet high.
Stem is obtusely quadrangular, the labiate flowers are white,
in whorls in the axils of the leaves, the calyx
with the upper lobe rounded and spreading.
Leaves, greyish-green beneath and dotted with dark oil cells,
are opposite, one inch long and one third inch broad,
stalked and peculiarly smooth,
soft and cool to the touch, and if slightly
bruised exale a delightful scent of cloves.
Strong aromatic scent of the leaves
is very much like cloves.

There are several varieties, differing in the size,
shape, odour and colour of the leaves.
Common Basil has very dark green leaves,
the curled-leaved has short spikes of flowers,
the narrow-leaved smells like Fennel, another has
a scent of citron and another a tarragon scent,
one species has leaves
of three colours, and another 'studded' leaves.


HISTORY