Clinopodium vulgare L. Wild Basil

Clinopodium vulgare L. - Wild Basil

Scientific Description:

Stem ± erect, 20−70 cm, pubescent or densely pilose. Leaves ovate or ovate-oblong, obtuse or obtuse-truncate at base, shallowly or conspicuously serrate. Verticillasters dense-flowered. Bracteoles linear, c. as long as calyx, plumose. Calyx 7−12 mm, densely hirsute-pilose, lower teeth 2−5.5 mm, upper teeth 1.5−4 mm. Corolla 11−20 mm, purple, 2−3 × as long as calyx.

 

subsp. vulgare

Calyx 7−9.5 mm, lower teeth 2−4 mm, upper teeth 1.5−2.5 mm.

 

Flowering time: June−September.

Habitat: Open forest, meadows, rocky slopes, s.l.−2500 m.

 

Reference:

Leblebici E (1982). Clinopodium vulgare L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 7: 329.

Public Description:

Clinopodium vulgare, known as “wild basil”, is native to Europe, western and central Asia and North Africa. It is a perennial rhizomatous herb with purple flowers and grows up to 70 cm in length. It blooms between June and September and is found in open forest, meadows and rocky slopes. It has edible leaves that are used as spices for food and salads. In addition, a sweet and aromatic herbal tea is made from the fresh leaves.

 

References:

Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinopodium_vulgare/, Accessed date: 14.02.2016.

Anonymous 2 (2016). http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Clinopodium+vulgare/, Accessed date: 14.02.2016.

Anonymous 3 (2016). https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/clinopodium/vulgare/, Accessed date: 14.02.2016.

Dirmenci T (2012). Clinopodium L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 550–553.