Field basil, Bush basil
Clinopodium vulgare

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It is softly hairy. It grows 75 cm high. The stems are erect. They only have a few branches. The leaves are oval or sword shaped. They have a few teeth and short stalks. The flowers are red-purple. They are 12-22 mm long and in dense rings. The calyx is purple and curved.

There are about 20 Clinopodium species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in dry grasslands and stony habitats. It grows along roadsides and the edges of forests. In north India it grows between 2,500-3,500 m above sea level. It suits plant hardiness zone 7.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Britain, Caucasus, Europe, France, Greece, Himalayas, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Siberia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The fresh or dried leaves are used as flavouring. They are used for tomato sauce, omelettes, egg sandwiches, rice dishes and other foods. The fresh leaves can be used for tea. The cracked seed are used in various recipes.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cushion calamint, Dog mint, Navadna mačja zel, Shyul, Wild Basil

Synonyms

Calamintha clinopodium Spanner; Clinopodium vulgaris (L.) H. Karst; Melissa clinopodium Benth.; Satureja clinopodium Car.; Satureja vulgaris (L.) Fritsch;