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| − | {{SPlantbox
| + | #REDIRECT [[Ocimum basilicum]] |
| − | |familia=Lamiaceae
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| − | |genus=Ocimum
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| − | |species=basilicum
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| − | |common_name=Basil
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| − | |habit=herbaceous
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| − | |Min ht metric=cm
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| − | |Max ht box=2
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| − | |Max ht metric=ft
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| − | |origin=Iran, India, Trop. Asia
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| − | |lifespan=perennial
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| − | |exposure=sun
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| − | |water=moist, moderate
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| − | |features=fragrance, edible
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| − | |Temp Metric=°F
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| − | |min_zone=1
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| − | |max_zone=11
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| − | |sunset_zones=all zones
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| − | |image=Basil 1511.jpg
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| − | |image_width=180
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| − | |image_caption=Basil
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| − | }}
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| − | {{Inc|
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| − | Basil. Species of Ocitmum (sometimes, but incorrectly written Ocymum), of the Labiatae. They are Indian annuals, and are cult. as pot-herbs, the clove- flavored foliage being used as seasoning in soups, meats and salads. They are of easiest cult., the seed being sown in the open as soon as the weather is settled. Common basil is Ocimum basilicum, Linn., a foot high, branching, with ovate toothed Lvs., and white, bluish white, or purplish fls. in leafy terminal racemes or spikes. 0. minimum, Linn., the dwarf basil is lower, and smaller in all its parts; rarely seen and perhaps only a mere form of O. basilicum, Linn. When basil is in bloom, it can be cut and dried for winter use.
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| − | }}
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| − | '''Basil''' (''Ocimum basilicum'') is a tender low-growing [[herb]] that is grown as a [[Perennial plant|perennial]] in warm, tropical climates, and an annual elsewhere. Basil is originally native to [[Iran]], [[India]] and other tropical regions of [[Asia]], having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. There are many varieties of basil, that which is used in Italian food is typically called '''sweet basil''', as opposed to [[Thai basil]] or [[holy basil]], which are used in Asia. It grows to between 30–130 cm tall, with opposite, light green, silky [[leaf|leaves]] 3–11 cm long and 1–6 cm broad. The flowers are quite big, white in color and arranged in a terminal [[raceme|spike]]. Unusual among [[Lamiaceae]], the four [[stamen]]s and the [[pistil]] are not pushed under the upper lip of the [[Corolla (flower)|corolla]], but lay over the inferior. After [[entomophily|entomophilous]] pollination, the corolla falls off and four round [[achene]]s develop inside the bilabiate [[calyx]]. The plant tastes somewhat like [[anise]], with a strong, pungent, sweet smell. Basil is very sensitive to cold, with best growth in hot, dry conditions. While most common varieties are treated as [[annual plant|annuals]], some are [[perennial plant|perennial]], including [[African Blue basil|African Blue]] and Holy Thai basil.
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| − | The word ''basil'' comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] βασιλεύς (''[[basileus]]''), meaning "king".
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| − | ==Cultivation==
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| − | [[Image:Basil sprout.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Basil sprout at an early stage]]
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| − | Basil thrives in hot weather, but behaves as an [[annual plant|annual]] if there is any chance of a frost. In Northern Europe, Canada, the northern states of the U.S., and the South Island of New Zealand it will grow best if sown under glass in a peat pot, then planted out in late spring/early summer (when there is little chance of a frost). It fares best in a well-drained sunny spot.
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| − | Although basil will grow best outdoors, it can be grown indoors in a pot and, like most herbs, will do best on an equator-facing windowsill. It should be kept away from extremely cold drafts, and grows best in strong sunlight, therefore a [[greenhouse]] or [[Row cover]] is ideal if available. They can, however, be grown even in a basement, under fluorescent lights.
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| − | If its leaves have wilted from lack of water, it will recover if watered thoroughly and placed in a sunny location. Yellow leaves towards the bottom of the plant are an indication that the plant needs more sunlight or less fertilizer.
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| − | In sunnier climates such as Southern Europe, the southern states of the U.S., the North Island of New Zealand, and Australia, basil will thrive when planted outside. It also thrives over the summertime in the central and northern United States, but dies out when temperatures reach freezing point. It will grow back the next year if allowed to go to seed. It will need regular watering, but not as much attention as is needed in other climates.
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| − | Basil can also be propagated very reliably from cuttings in exactly the same manner as [[Busy Lizzie]] (Impatiens), with the stems of short cuttings suspended for two weeks or so in water until roots develop.
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| − | If a stem successfully produces mature flowers, leaf production slows or stops on any stem which flowers, the stem becomes woody, and essential oil production declines.To prevent this, a basil-grower may pinch off any flower stems before they are fully mature. Because only the blooming stem is so affected, some can be pinched for leaf production, while others are left to bloom for decoration or seeds.
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| − | Once the plant is allowed to flower, it may produce seed pods containing small black seeds which can be saved and planted the following year. Picking the leaves off the plant helps "promote growth", largely because the plant responds by converting pairs of leaflets next to the topmost leaves into new stems.
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| − | ===Propagation===
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| − | <!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
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| − | ===Pests and diseases===
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| − | [[Image:ChristianBauer stalk of basil.jpg|thumb|right|Flowering basil stalk]] | |
| − | Basil suffers from several plant pathogens that can ruin the crop and reduce [[crop yield|yield]]. [[Fusarium wilt]] is a soil-borne fungal disease that will quickly kill younger basil plants. [[Seedling]]s may also be killed by [[Pythium]] [[damping off]].
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| − | A common [[foliage|foliar]] disease of basil is [[gray mold]] caused by ''[[Botrytis cinerea]]'', can also cause infections post-harvest and is capable of killing the entire plant. [[Black Spot (disease)|Black spot]] can also be seen on basil foliage and is caused by the [[fungi]] [[genus]] ''[[Colletotrichum]]''.
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| − | ==Varieties==
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| − | :See [[List of basil cultivars]]
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| − | Several other basils, including some other ''Ocimum'' species, are grown in many regions of [[Asia]]. Most of the Asian basils have a clove-like flavour that is generally stronger than the Mediterranean basils. The most notable is the '''holy basil''' or [[tulsi]] ([[Tamil Language|Tamil]]: கி௫ஷ்ண துளசி), a revered home-grown plant in [[India]]. In [[China]], the local cultivar is called ({{zh-t|t=九層塔}}) (''jiǔ-céng-tǎ''; literally "nine-level [[pagoda]]"), while the imported varieties are specifically called ({{zh-t|t=羅勒)}} (''luó-lè'') or ({{zh-t|t=巴西里}}) (''bā-xī-lǐ''), although [巴西里] often refers to another different kind plant--[[parsley]].
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| − | [[Lemon basil]] has a strong lemony smell and flavour very different from those of other varieties because it contains a chemical called [[citral]]. It is widely used in Indonesia, where it is called ''kemangi'' and served raw, together with raw cabbage, green beans, and cucumber, as an accompaniment to fried fish or duck. Its flowers, broken up, are a zesty salad condiment.
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| − | ==Gallery==
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| − | {{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery -->
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| − | <gallery>
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| − | Image:Basil leaves.jpg|Fresh basil leaves.
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| − | Image:Upload.png| photo 1
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| − | Image:Upload.png| photo 2
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| − | Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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| − | </gallery>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | *[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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| − | <!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
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| − | <!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
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| − | <!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 -->
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | *{{wplink}}
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| − | {{stub}}
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| − | __NOTOC__
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