Clinopodium vulgare
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Clinopodium
Species:
C. vulgare
Binomial name
Clinopodium vulgare
Synonyms[1]
  • Calamintha vulgaris (L.)
  • Satureja vulgaris

Clinopodium vulgare, the wild basil (not to be confused with the basils of the genus Ocimum), is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae.

Description

Wild basil is a perennial rhizomatous herb with square, upright, hairy stems and opposite pairs of leaves. The leaves are hairy, ovate or lanceolate in shape, and have short or no stalks, wedge-shaped bases and bluntly-toothed margins. The inflorescence is a terminal spike consisting of several loose whorls of clusters of flowers growing in the axils of the leaves. Each flower has a short stalk, five sepals about 10 mm (0.39 in) long and five petals 12 to 15 mm (0.47 to 0.59 in) in length which are fused into a tube. The flowers are pink, violet or purple and have two lips. Each has four stamens, a long style and fused carpels.[2]

Distribution

Wild basil occurs in suitable locations in most of Europe, western and central Asia, North America and North Africa. Its typical habitat is dry grassland and heathland, usually on limestone or chalky soils.[3] Though its distribution is patchy it is widespread and not threatened in the UK.[4]

Uses

The leaves of wild basil are used as an aromatic herb in the preparation of food dishes and to make a herbal tea. They can also be used in the preparation of both a brown and a yellow dye.[3]

This plant has traditionally been used as an astringent, a cardiac stimulant, an expectorant, to reduce flatulence and to increase perspiration.[3] It has been used traditionally in Bulgaria for the healing of wounds and has been shown to have anti-bacterial properties.[5]

Ecology

Pollination is by bees and Lepidoptera.[6]

References

  1. ↑ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Clinopodium vulgare". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 2015-01-08.
  2. ↑ "Clinopodium vulgare (wild basil)". Go Botany. New England Wildflower Society. Retrieved 2015-01-09.
  3. 1 2 3 "Clinopodium vulgare". Plants For A Future. Retrieved 2015-01-09.
  4. ↑ Nature Spot - Wild Basil
  5. ↑ Opalchenova, G.; Obreshkova, D. (1999). "Antibacterial action of extracts of Clinopodium vulgare L. curative plant". Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy. 25 (3): 323–328. doi:10.1081/DDC-100102177. PMID 10071825.
  6. ↑ "Wild Basil, Clinopodium vulgare - Flowers". Naturegate. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
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