SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ocimum basilicum

COMMON NAME: Sweet basil

FAMILY: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

TYPE: annual

LEAVES: opposite on square stems, puckered in appearance; ovate with oblique base, 2"-4" long, entire or toothed margin; green usually or purple, aromatic

FLOWER: white or purple, generally not ornamental--should be removed

SEASON OF BLOOM: summer

GROWTH HABIT: 1' to 2', rounded or mounding

SOIL: moist and well drained, but tolerates dry soils

SUN: full or partial shade

UTILIZATION: one of the most popular culinary herbs; purple leaved cultivars frequently used for foliage effect in landscape; "Spicy Globe" and other small leaf cultivars frequently used as an edging plant; medicinal value for many basils

DISEASES: none serious

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: slugs and snails

PROPAGATION: seed

MAINTENANCE: prune flower buds to promote vegetative growth

CULTIVARS: "Spicy Globe" has small, 1" long green leaves, is fine textured, has spherical shape about 1' tall, and is excellent for edging; "Purple Ruffles" (1987) has purple leaves; "Siam Queen" won 1997 AAS award with bronze flowers