African Basil

Hermitian · June 25, 2014

Below is a photo of an African Basil (Ocimum gratissimum) plant in a 17" pot. This plant is often sold in the western U.S. as African Blue Basil, but I will caution readers that the virus-induced variegated version has dissimilar properties.

The plant is perennial in USDA zone 10 and zone 9b areas with mild winters (i.e., only a few minor trips below freezing for a few hours). In Europe and in the eastern U.S. the plant is sometimes sold as clove basil, an appropriate name because the leaves are very pungent compared to the mild Italian Basil -- in my estimation about 1/10th the volume of fresh African Basil are equivalent to 1 volume of Italian Basil. For dishes that demand a strong basil flavor it is a must. Commercially it is the source of Basil Oil.

Another feature of this plant is that it flowers incessantly. This is only interrupted by winter temperatures in zones 9b and 10a, in which the plant might defoliate. Otherwise it is in constant bloom and bees are present from pre-dawn through twilight. If you are growing fruit trees in zone 9b+, then it is one of several ways to insure that bees are always coming to your orchard.

Zana · June 26, 2014

Beautiful. I love basil. Period. Have probably grown close to 20+ so far...and have the seeds for more that I'll be planting this weekend.

I'm going to go looking for seeds now after reading your description. Thanks for the tip.

peppero · June 26, 2014

Thanks for sharing this with us.

jon

ChristinaJo · June 26, 2014

Is this the basil that you have to propagate by cuttings,because the seeds are sterile?

Hermitian · June 26, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristinaJo

Is this the basil that you have to propagate by cuttings,because the seeds are sterile?

The seeds are fertile. It can interbreed with other Ocimum so breeding in isolation is recommended. Further, it is easy and faster to grow from cuttings.

biscgolf · June 26, 2014

African Camphor Basil is not sterile. African Blue Basil which is a hybrid of Dark Opal and African Camphor does not produce fertile seed. It is quite easy to grow all basils from cuttings.

Zana · June 26, 2014

Clove Basil is not sterile and seeds are available out there.

ChristinaJo · June 28, 2014

O.K. Thanks.
I was thinking of the Opal and Camphor hybrid.
Interesting.... I do need more bee pollinators in my area. Thank you for the information

June 25, 2014	#1
Hermitian BANNED Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,112	African Basil Below is a photo of an African Basil (Ocimum gratissimum) plant in a 17" pot. This plant is often sold in the western U.S. as African Blue Basil, but I will caution readers that the virus-induced variegated version has dissimilar properties. The plant is perennial in USDA zone 10 and zone 9b areas with mild winters (i.e., only a few minor trips below freezing for a few hours). In Europe and in the eastern U.S. the plant is sometimes sold as clove basil, an appropriate name because the leaves are very pungent compared to the mild Italian Basil -- in my estimation about 1/10th the volume of fresh African Basil are equivalent to 1 volume of Italian Basil. For dishes that demand a strong basil flavor it is a must. Commercially it is the source of Basil Oil. Another feature of this plant is that it flowers incessantly. This is only interrupted by winter temperatures in zones 9b and 10a, in which the plant might defoliate. Otherwise it is in constant bloom and bees are present from pre-dawn through twilight. If you are growing fruit trees in zone 9b+, then it is one of several ways to insure that bees are always coming to your orchard. __________________ Richard _<\|\|>_

June 26, 2014	#2
Zana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,521	Beautiful. I love basil. Period. Have probably grown close to 20+ so far...and have the seeds for more that I'll be planting this weekend. I'm going to go looking for seeds now after reading your description. Thanks for the tip. __________________ Zana ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ There is a fine line between genius and crazy. I like to use that line as a jump rope. ~Anonymous (but I totally agree with this! LOL) Forgive and Forget? I'm neither Jesus or nor do I have Alzheimers. ~ Anonymous Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace. -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer

June 26, 2014	#7
Zana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,521	Clove Basil is not sterile and seeds are available out there. __________________ Zana ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ There is a fine line between genius and crazy. I like to use that line as a jump rope. ~Anonymous (but I totally agree with this! LOL) Forgive and Forget? I'm neither Jesus or nor do I have Alzheimers. ~ Anonymous Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace. -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer

June 28, 2014	#8
ChristinaJo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NE Texas Posts: 425	O.K. Thanks. I was thinking of the Opal and Camphor hybrid. Interesting.... I do need more bee pollinators in my area. Thank you for the information Last edited by ChristinaJo; June 29, 2014 at 10:12 AM.

June 26, 2014	#3
peppero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: selmer, tn Posts: 2,944	Thanks for sharing this with us. jon

June 26, 2014	#6
biscgolf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 353	African Camphor Basil is not sterile. African Blue Basil which is a hybrid of Dark Opal and African Camphor does not produce fertile seed. It is quite easy to grow all basils from cuttings.