Ocimum gratissimum aka African Basil

Ocimum gratissimum, commonly known as clove basil, African basil, or wild basil in Hawaii, is a species of basil that is native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and the Bismarck Archipelago. It has also been naturalized in various regions including Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, the West Indies, Brazil, and Bolivia. This tropical shrub or small tree, reaching a height of approximately 2m, is primarily cultivated for therapeutic purposes but possesses all the culinary uses typical of basil. Its green leaves are initially furry but become less so as they mature, often displaying purple stems, veins, and flowers. However, if the stems and veins are pale, the flowers are white. The flowering spikes are also covered in fur. Ocimum gratissimum belongs to the shrub type of basil genus Ocimum and is also referred to as Clove basil or African basil. It can be either perennial or evergreen, and occasionally grown as an annual plant. In addition to its edible uses as a leafy herb, it is also cultivated for ornamental purposes due to its fragrant nature. This plant thrives in tropical climates and is typically found in hardiness zones 12+ as a perennial or 5-12 when grown as an annual. The leaves of Ocimum gratissimum are light green in color, large, soft, and have an ovate-cordate shape with serrated edges. The small flowers, which grow on inflorescences, are purple in color.