Family: Lamiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Cent. Pl. I: 15 (1755)
Year: 1755
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ocimum
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Old World
Description
American basil, known scientifically as Ocimum americanum, is a perennial herb renowned for its aromatic and flavorful foliage. This species was first formally described in 1755 by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus, signified by the citation “Cent. Pl. I: 15 (1755).” Linnaeus’s work established a foundational classification that has contributed to its understanding and recognition within the botanical community.
Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, American basil shares its lineage with a variety of other aromatic herbs, including mint, rosemary, and sage. The Lamiaceae family is distinguished by its characteristic square stems and opposite leaf arrangement, which are features observable in Ocimum americanum.
American basil thrives in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, which encompasses parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia. These climates provide the warm temperatures and sunlight that the plant requires for optimal growth. The versatility and resilience of American basil make it a popular choice for cultivation in diverse environments, ranging from home gardens to larger agricultural settings.
The herb is particularly valued for its culinary uses. Its leaves possess a robust, slightly sweet, and peppery flavor that can enhance a variety of dishes. In addition to its culinary applications, American basil is also appreciated for its medicinal properties. Traditionally, it has been utilized in various cultures to address ailments such as digestive issues and respiratory conditions.
Beyond its practical uses, American basil also holds ornamental value. The plant produces small, white to pale pink flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a beneficial addition to any garden focused on ecological health and biodiversity.
In summary, American basil (Ocimum americanum) is a multi-faceted plant with significant historical, culinary, medicinal, and ecological applications. Its enduring presence across different cultures and climates underscores its importance and versatility within the botanical world.
Common Names
Eng: american basil, hoary basil
Deu: zitronen-basilikum
Swe: kamferbasilika
En: American basil, Hoary basil, Kecarum, Sweet Basil, Lemon Basil, Basil, Common basil
Af: Transvaal basielkruid
Ar: حبق أمريكي
Ca: Alfàbrega, Alfabreguera
Zh: 灰罗勒
Hr: Limunski bosiljak
Nl: Basilicum
Fr: Basilic, Basilic romain, Basilic aux sauces, Basilic commun, Grand Basilic, Oranger des savetiers, Basilic à épis nombreux, Basilic blanchâtre
De: Zitronen-Basilikum, Amerikanisches Basilikum, Basilienhraut, Basilikum
Ha: Cwai ɗwaiya
Hi: अरण्यतुलसी
It: Basilico
Rw: Isonga
Ko: 회바질
Ms: Pokok Kemangi
Pl: Bazylia amerykańska
Pt: Manjericão, Manjericão-branco
Es: Albacar, Albahaca, Albahaca velluda
Sv: Kamferbasilika
Ta: நாய்த்துளசி
Te: వన తులసి
Zh-hant: 灰羅勒
Synonyms
- Ocimum canum var. integrifolium (Engl.)
- Ocimum hispidulum (Schumach. & Thonn.)
- Ocimum dinteri (Briq.)
- Becium obovatum var. glabrior ((Benth.) Cufod.)
- Ocimum fruticulosum (Burch.)
- Ocimum thymoides (Baker)
- Ocimum incanescens (Mart.)
- Ocimum stamineum (Sims)
- Ocimum dichotomum (Hochst. ex Benth.)
- Ocimum serpyllifolium var. glabrius (Benth.)
- Ocimum fluminense (Vell.)
- Ocimum brachiatum (Blume)
- Ocimum canum (Sims)
Distribution
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Angola (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Caprivi Strip (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Congo (native)
- Djibouti (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Free State (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- India (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Mali (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Togo (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Christmas I. (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- Panamá (introduced)
- Paraguay (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Mar 11, 2022 by Eduarda Ferreira (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 19, 2022 by MartinkaO (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Klaudia Gyuris (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Matheus Gomes (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Dec 20, 2020 by Ferrante Juana (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 27, 2021 by Langa Junior Augusto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 5, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Dec 15, 2020 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 10, 2022 by Sanja Mkt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 12, 2021 by aty m (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 23, 2020 by Frank (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 5, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Muhammad Ahmad Bakari (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 30, 2020 by Christophorus a Castalia (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 14, 1997 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Colin Alistair Pendry (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 19, 1992 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Colin Alistair Pendry (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 25, 1990 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Colin Alistair Pendry (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 10, 1999 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Ram Chandra Poudel (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 19, 1992 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Colin Alistair Pendry (cc-by-nc)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Bark
Taken Jan 8, 2020 by Daniel Grixti-Cheng (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Jesus José Onaldo de Jesus (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2927097)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316218-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ocimum americanum L.)