Beefsteak-mint (Perilla frutescens, Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 5: 277 (1894))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: (L.) Britton

Bibliography: Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 5: 277 (1894)

Year: 1894

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Perilla

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Russian Far East to Pakistan

Description

Beefsteak-mint, scientifically known as Perilla frutescens, is an intriguing herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Notable for its aromatic properties and vibrant foliage, this plant is a common sight across a range extending from the southern regions of the Russian Far East to Pakistan.

First described in depth in the publication Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 5: 277 (1894) by (L.) Britton, Perilla frutescens has since garnered attention for its versatility and unique characteristics. The plant is easily identifiable by its distinctive, often purplish-red leaves, which emit a strong, minty aroma when crushed. These leaves are commonly referred to as “beefsteak leaves” due to their rich color and appearance, reminiscent of raw beef.

Beefsteak-mint has been traditionally used in various culinary and medicinal applications in many cultures within its native range. It is often employed as a culinary herb, adding flavor and color to dishes. Additionally, in traditional medicine, its potential benefits include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, although further scientific exploration is warranted to fully understand these effects.

The plant thrives in a variety of conditions but prefers well-drained soils and moderate sunlight. Its adaptability has allowed it to spread beyond its initial geographic range, sometimes being considered an invasive species in areas outside its native habitat.

The aesthetic and practical value of Perilla frutescens, combined with its rich history of use, continues to make Beefsteak-mint a plant of interest for botanists, horticulturists, and culinary enthusiasts alike. Understanding its origins and properties helps in appreciating its role in both natural ecosystems and cultural practices.

Common Names

Eng: beefsteakplant, beefsteak mint, beefsteak plant, beefsteak-mint, beefsteak-plant, perilla, purple mint, shiso, beefsteak, chinese basil, korean perilla, perilla mint, mint perilla, shrubby perilla
Deu: schwarznessel, shiso
Swe: bladmynta
Hun: cserjés perilla
Por: perila
Fra: périlla, pérille faux-basilic, pérille, pérille de nankin
Nld: japanse munt
Jpn: egoma, shiso
Tha: nga-khimon, nga-mon
Nep: silam
Vie: tía tô
Zho: zi su shu
En: Beefsteak-mint, Beefsteakplant, Perilla, Purple mint, Beefsteak, Korean perilla, Beefsteak mint, Beefsteak plant, Beefsteak-plant, Shiso, Chinese Basil, Perilla Mint, Mint perilla, Shrubby perilla, Beef-steak Plant, Lettuce Leaf Basil, Purple Common Perilla, Wild sesame, Perilla-mint, Shiso-zoku
Ar: بريلة
Zh: Zi su, 白紫苏, 白苏, 紫苏, 紫蘇, Zi su shu
Hr: Crna kopriva
Cs: Perila křovitá
Nl: Japanse munt
Eo: Duonligna periljo
Fi: Veripeippi
Fr: Périlla, Pérille faux-basilic, Pérille, Pérille de Nankin, Sésame sauvage, Basilic africain, Basilic sauvage, Baumier, Gros baume, Menthe gabonaise, Pérille frutescente
De: Shiso, Schwarznessel, Perilla, Chinesische Melisse, Wilder Sesam
Hu: Cserjés perilla
Ja: Egoma, Shiso
Ko: 들깨
Ne: सिलाम, Silam
Fa: شیسو
Pl: Pachnotka bazyliowata
Pt: Perilla, Perila
Sv: Bladmynta
Zh-tw: 紫蘇, 荏
Th: Nga-khimon, Nga-mon
Zh-hant: 紫蘇
Vi: Tía tô

Synonyms

• Ocimum frutescens (L.)
• Perilla ocymoides (L.)
• Perilla urticifolia (Salisb.)
• Perilla frutescens var. typica (Makino)

Distribution

• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• India (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Laos (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Echegaray Juan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2022 by david bowen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by Jodi Burch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by jean luc Bossut (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 28, 2022 by flo badass (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Simona Marino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2019 by Didier EYCHENNE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2020 by なおかた 本田 (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 10, 2022 by Zephyr Dart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Ryan F (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2022 by Michal Kalavský (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Jade Rose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 1995 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 26, 2019 by Melissa Melissa Keneely (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2019 by Kerri (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 19, 2017 by DeLila Holeman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2022 by Zephyr Dart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2020 by Hak Rune (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Fruit

Taken Oct 5, 2022 by William Wattles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2022 by Aguirrezabala Arana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2022 by Alejandra Haro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2022 by William Wattles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2020 by Pamela Namowitz (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341394)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:190343-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth