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Plant Families / Ocimum - Basil


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Ocimum - Basil

Ocimum (Basil) are aromatic annuals, evergreen perennials or shrubs with simple aromatic leaves and spikes of lipped white or pinkish flowers arranged in whorls. Used extensively in European and Asian cooking, Sweet Basil is one of the most popular herbs for growing at home, both in gardens and containers. Reflecting its popularity, there are many varieties to pick from in terms of size, leave, foliage color or flavor, including clove, lemon, lime, anise, spice, cinnamon and thyme. Easy to grow, Basil is an excellent addition to the herb garden and a valuable addition to the vegetable garden. Basil also provides some health benefits: it contains many vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants and essential oils.

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Ocimum 'African Blue' (African Blue Basil)

Prized for its showy leaves and eye-catching flowers, which easily attract pollinators, Ocimum 'African Blue' (African Blue Basil) is an upright, short-lived perennial with broad, smooth, dark green leaves, flushed purple when young. The leaves are crisp, with an earthy flavor, with notes of menthol, musk, and cloves.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' (Cinnamon Basil)

Noted for its spicy flavor and almost incense-like fragrance, Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' (Cinnamon Basil) is a perennial herb, often grown as an annual, with narrow, slightly serrated, dark green leaves adorned with reddish-purple veins.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal' (Basil)

Noted for its striking foliage and delicate licorice scent, Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal' (Basil) is an annual or biennial herb with stunning deep purple, almost black leaves.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Dolce Fresca' (Sweet Basil)

Adding a great Mediterranean taste to the cuisine, Ocimum basilicum 'Dolce Fresca' (Sweet Basil) is an annual herb boasting sweet tender leaves that can be used for tomato sauce, spaghetti, stews, fish, salads or pesto. It has the mild flavor of anise with a slight mint aftertaste.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Everleaf Emerald Towers' (Basil)

Noted for its columnar habit, Ocimum basilicum 'Everleaf Emerald Towers' (Sweet Basil) is an annual herb boasting large dark green, glossy leaves with a Genovese flavor. They are perfect for eating fresh in Caprese salad or chopped fresh in recipes.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Genovese' (Sweet Basil)

Adding a great Mediterranean taste to the cuisine, Ocimum basilicum 'Genovese' (Sweet Basil) is an annual herb boasting large shiny leaves that can be used for rice dishes, poultry, fish, potatoes and vegetables, dressings or marinades. It is one of the most popular basils for culinary use, particularly for its use in pesto.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Italian Large Leaf' (Sweet Basil)

Adding a great Mediterranean taste to the cuisine, Ocimum basilicum 'Italian Large Leaf' (Sweet Basil) is an annual herb boasting large leaves that are rich in flavors. Large Leaf basil is considered the best for true Neapolitan recipes, especially pesto. You can use it fresh or dried. A popular herb for growing at home, both in gardens and containers.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Lemon' (Lemon Basil)

Aptly named, Ocimum basilicum 'Lemon' (Lemon Basil) is an upright, bushy annual with aromatic, intensely citrus-scented, bright green leaves. In summer, attractive spikes of lemon-scented, small white flowers arranged in whorls bloom on long, light green bracts. Prized for its refreshing and subtly sweet citrus fragrance, Lemon Basil is best suited as a finishing element and can be used in both raw and cooked applications.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Lime' (Lime Basil)

Ocimum basilicum 'Lime' (Lime Basil) is a short-lived bushy perennial, often grown as an annual culinary herb. The aromatic, smooth, bright green, teardrop-shaped leaves are smaller than common sweet basil. They have a strong, sweet, citrusy scent and a mild yet zesty, peppery-lime flavor.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Persian' (Persian Basil)

Ocimum basilicum 'Persian' (Sweet Basil) is a vigorous annual herb boasting pleasant tasting leaves that are excellent for adding flavor to soups, sauces, fish and meat dishes. It has a strong, spicy anise-clove flavor.

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Ocimum basilicum 'Siam Queen' (Thai Basil)

An improved Thai basil or tropical basil, Ocimum basilicum 'Siam Queen' is a vigorous annual herb boasting highly aromatic, glossy green leaves rich with a licorice basil aroma. As an added bonus, it is late to produce flowers, which often makes basil develop a bitter taste.

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Ocimum basilicum (Basil)

Widely cultivated worldwide, Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow. The leaves are used fresh or dried to flavor meats, fish, salads, and sauces. Its sweet aroma and strong flavor make it popular in a variety of cuisines.

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Ocimum basilicum (Sweet Basil)

One of the great culinary herbs, Ocimum basilicum (Sweet Basil) is an annual or biennial with highly aromatic, bright green, elliptic leaves and spikes of small, tubular white or pink-tinged, lipped flowers arranged in whorls.

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Ocimum basilicum lettuce leaf (Lettuce Leaf Basil)

Ocimum basilicum lettuce leaf (Lettuce Leaf Basil) is an annual herb boasting large, crinkled leaves up to 5 in. long (12 cm), reminiscent of lettuce. They boast a milder basil flavor than other sweet basils and are suitable for tossing into salads. Short spikes of white flowers appear in late summer. A popular herb for growing at home, both in gardens and containers.

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Ocimum basilicum var. minimum 'Greek' (Greek Basil)

Ocimum basilicum var. minimum 'Greek' (Greek Basil) is a compact, bushy annual with highly aromatic, bright green leaves. The leaves are smaller than those of sweet basil, with a slightly sweeter flavor. In summer, spikes of small, tubular pink or white flowers appear at the top of the stems. Greek Basil is used in both cooking and as a decorative plant that adds lush greenery to any space.

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