Long-Stamen Basil

Appearance

Shrubby, aromatic perennial herb, up to 60 cm tall growing from a swollen woody rootstock. Inflorescences terminal with regularly spaced clusters (verticils) of white or pinkish flowers.

Naming

Becium filamentosum (Forssk.) Chiov.
Becium obovatum (E. Mey. ex Benth.) N.E. Br. var. knyanum (Vatke) Kufod.
Ocimum polycladum Briq.

Distribution

The native range of this species is Ethiopia to S. Africa and India and Sri Lanka.

Habitat

It is a annual or shrub and grows primarly in the seasonally dry tropical biome(s). It is found in dry, deciduous open woodland and scrub.