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Sweet basil

How to identify Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Sweet basil, also known as Saint-joseph's-wort, Common basil

Sweet basil features a bushy growth habit with a maximum height of around 2 feet (60 cm) and a similar spread. Its leaves are smooth, glossy, and rich green, with a strong aroma when bruised. The foliage is oval-shaped with slightly serrated edges and arranged oppositely on square stems. Small, tubular white or pale pink flowers cluster in a raceme inflorescence at the tips of the branches during the flowering season.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual, Perennial, Biennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Sweet basil

1

Oppositely arranged oval leaves with serrated edges, emitting a strong aroma when bruised.

2

Small white or pale pink tubular flowers in raceme inflorescence, blooming in late summer.

3

Distinctive lipped white flowers with lower lip larger than upper, forming whorled raceme structure.

4

Fruit classified as nutlet, less than 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) in length, dry texture.

5

Thin, square-stemmed plant with bushy growth habit, typically reaching 2 feet (60 cm) in height.

Sweet basilSweet basilSweet basilSweet basilSweet basil

Detailed Traits of Sweet basil

Leaf Features

The leaves of sweet basil are bright green, simple, and oppositely arranged at right angles to each other. They are ovate in shape with smooth margins and slight bulging between the veins. Each leaf measures between 1/2 and 3 inches (1.3 to 7.6 cm) in length. The leaves are also notably fragrant. Ornamental varieties may exhibit purple or variegated hues, adding to their aesthetic appeal.

Leaf Shape

Elliptic ,
Ovate

Sweet basil Leaf Shape image
Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Cuneate ,
Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Sweet basil Leaf Arrangement image
Leaf Apex

Acute

Leaf Margin

Entire ,
Serrate

Sweet basil Leaf Margin image
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Flower Features

The flowers of sweet basil are small, measuring about 0.4 inches (1 cm) in length. They are white in color and have a distinctive lipped shape, with the lower lip being slightly larger than the upper. The white stamens extend just beyond the lower lip. These flowers are arranged in terminal inflorescences, forming a whorled raceme structure. Some ornamental varieties can have striking purple flower spikes. The plant typically blooms in late summer, providing a delicate yet noticeable floral display.

Sweet basil Flower imageSweet basil Flower imageSweet basil Flower image
Corolla Type

Bilabiate

Inflorescence Type

Whorled inflorescence

Sweet basil Inflorescence Type image
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Stem Features

The stem of sweet basil is thin, typically hollow, and has a characteristic square-shaped cross-section. It is herbaceous and aromatic, usually hairless but may sometimes be slightly hairy. The stem's thickness is around 0.1 inches (2.5 mm). It exhibits a branching tendency, forming multiple offshoots that contribute to a bushy growth habit. The green stem is often smooth to the touch, making it easy to identify among aromatics.

Sweet basil Stem image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of sweet basil is a diminutive structure classified as a nutlet. Predominantly, each fruit measures less than a quarter inch (0.6 cm) in length. Upon reaching maturity, these nutlets showcase a dry and robust texture. Nutlets are typically brown, with a variance ranging from pale tan to darker shades. They are nestled within the calyx, which originally encapsulates the flower, and they remain attached to the spike after the flowering phase has concluded. Each nutlet harbors a singular seed, embodying the potential for growth into a new plant.

Fruit Type

Nutlet

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
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Key Facts About Sweet basil

Attributes of Sweet basil
Lifespan
Annual, Perennial, Biennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
20 cm to 1.5 m
Spread
30 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Purple
Flower Size
3 cm to 8 cm
Flower Color
White
Pink
Purple
Stem Color
Green
Purple
Leaf type
Evergreen
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Scientific Classification of Sweet basil

Family
Mint
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Genus
Ocimum
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Species
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum)
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Distribution Map of Sweet basil

Sweet basil naturally occurs across a broad region from India to Northwest Australia. It has been cultivated for so long that its original habitat is now unknown, but grows well in warm, humid places in sunny, sheltered locations. It's cultivated globally as a popular culinary herb, and has naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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