Hoary basil, Thai basil
Ocimum canum

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows from seed each year. Plants are 30-50 cm high. The stem is four sided and branched. The leaves are simple and opposite. Each one is at right angles to the one above and below it. They are 2.5-5 cm long by 9-25 mm wide. The leaf stalk is 5-22 mm long. The flower group is at the ends of branches. They are up to 13.5 cm long. The fruit are 4.5-5.5 mm long. The small nuts are oval and almost triangular. They are 1.5 mm long by 1 mm wide.

There are between 100 and 150 Ocimum species. It is used as a medicine. Probably now Ocimum americanum.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It tends to grow in areas with a rainfall less than 1000 mm per year. In Ethiopia it grows between 600-2,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Benin, Botswana, Cuba, East Africa, Ethiopia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malawi, Northeastern India, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten raw with vermicilli or in soups. They can be used in curries, sauces, salads and meat dishes. The seeds are used in desserts and drinks. They are also eaten with millet. The flowers are used as a spice.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaves as condiment, spice, seeds, root - tea, vegetable, flower

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Albahaca velluda, Bapchi, Bavchi, Chanzi, Hairy basil, Kaphavumba, Maeng lak, Manki, Mayangba, Meno, Mpungabwe, Msinyani, Mtanda imbu, Nyarisoonga, Pohok

Synonyms

See Ocimum americanum