Basil

Basil (/ˈbæzəl/, BAZ-əl;^[1] US also /ˈbeɪzəl/, BAY-zəl;^[2] Ocimum basilicum (/ˈɒsɪməm bəˈzɪlɪkəm/, OS-ih-məm bə-ZIL-ih-kəm)^[3]^[4]), also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide. In Western cuisine, the generic term "basil" refers to the variety also known as Genovese basil or sweet basil. Basil is native to tropical regions from Central Africa to Southeast Asia.^[5] In temperate climates basil is treated as an annual plant, but it can be grown as a short-lived perennial or biennial in warmer horticultural zones with tropical or Mediterranean climates.^[5]

There are many varieties of basil including sweet basil, Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora), and Mrs. Burns' Lemon (O. basilicum var. citriodora). O. basilicum can cross-pollinate with other species of the Ocimum genus, producing hybrids such as lemon basil (O. × citriodorum) and African blue basil (O. × kilimandscharicum).

^ "British: Basil". Collins Dictionary. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
^ "American: Basil". Collins Dictionary. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
^ "Ocimum". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
^ "basilica". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
^ ^a ^b Simon, James E (23 February 1998). "Basil". Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Department of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2018.