Basil
Ocimum basilicum L.
Ocimum basilicum, commonly known as basil, is a species in the Lamiaceae family. It is native to tropical regions from Central Africa to Southeast Asia and is widely used as a culinary herb in global cuisines. In temperate regions, it is grown as an annual, while in warmer climates, it can be a short-lived perennial or biennial. The plant is also known by the common name 'sweet basil' or 'Genovese basil' in Western culinary contexts.
Description
Ocimum basilicum is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, and is distributed across various regions including parts of South America, Europe, and the Pacific. It is a tender plant that is cultivated for its aromatic leaves, which are used in cooking. The species was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The genus name was misspelled as 'Ocymum' in the original publication. Basil thrives in tropical and Mediterranean climates and is valued for its culinary applications in both traditional and modern cuisines.
Other common names
BasilSweet BasilSweet-Basil
Distribution
Antioquia, Atlántico, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Nariño, Santander, Valle del Cauca · BR · Subregiones: Cordillera occidental, Cordillera central, Norte, Zona central, Sur, Enclaves subxerofíticos · CO · SFF Iguaque · TW · SC · HR · CK · YE · Belgium · Flemish Region · NU · AS · Kosrae · Pitcairn Islands · PW · SB · AI · France · The Netherlands · Great Britain · BI · NR · KI · TD · FR · BF · GR · FM
Synonyms
Ocimum odorum
