Basil Through the Ages Basic Basil Botany Growing Tips Creating Culinary Delights Activities for Growing Classrooms

Basic Basil Botany

Like many other familiar garden herbs—mint, oregano, marjoram—basil is a member of the mint family (Labiatae). Invite your students to examine the stems of these plants, and they may notice that they are square in cross-section. The genus name of sweet basil, Ocimum, is from a Greek verb that means "to be fragrant." The species name, basilicum, comes from the Greek basileus, which means "king or prince." Basil, in fact, is often referred to as the "king of herbs," and no wonder—it is one of the most useful, and most used, of all herbs.

In frost-free climates, sweet basil may act as a perennial, but in most areas of the country, it is an annual that is highly sensitive to frost. There are more than 30 different species of basil, but the most commonly grown are O. basilicum and its subspecies. This species features a natural diversity of wonderful fragrances and colors. Those who breed plants have selected for and improved on these different traits.

Following are descriptions of the four common types of basil that you and your students might grow in your garden.

Sweet basil, the most commonly raised, grows about 2 feet tall. It has large leaves, 2 to 3 inches long, and produces white flower spikes. Its "cousins" include lettuce-leaf and Genovese basil, which have larger leaves, and the spicy Thai basil, 'Siam Queen, a tropical basil with an intense fragrance and flavor.

Dwarf basil is also known as bush or fine green basil. It has small leaves and white flowers and reaches only 10 to 12 inches high. 'Spicy Globe' and 'Green Bouquet' are well-known dwarf types; the former is aptly named because the plants grow naturally into rounded, globe shapes.

Purple-leaved basils tend to have ruffled, frilled, or deeply cut leaves, which are very pungent. They produce deep pink to lavender-purple flowers. 'Dark Opal,' 'Purple Ruffles,' and 'Red Rubin' are three of the most popular varieties. (Basil vinegar turns a lovely color when made with these varieties.)

Scented-leaf basils bring additional aromas to the basic clove-anise of sweet basil. Lemon basil has a very distinct lemon flavor, especially in the newest variety, 'Sweet Dani.' The leaves are grayish green, the flowers white. The leaves of cinnamon basil have a spicy cinnamon flavor; flowers are deep pink with purple bracts. Anise basil has a flavor similar to licorice, and slightly purplish flowers.

Activities for Growing Classrooms