# Basil (*Ocimum L.*)

Basil is a sweet-smelling herb that is often used in cooking. It has bright green leaves and loves the sun!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and sunny areas
- **Also known as:** Genovese Basil, Holy Basil, Lemon Basil, Purple Basil, Thai Basil

![Basil](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426325/objects/4954.jpg)

## Appearance

The Basil has vibrant green, often slightly crinkled, oval leaves that emit a distinct aroma. Its stems are typically square-shaped, bearing small, delicate white or pale purple flowers arranged in spikes at the top. This leafy herb often grows as a bushy plant.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Lamiaceae
- **Genus:** Ocimum

## Interesting facts

- Basil's name comes from the Greek word 'basileus,' meaning king or royal herb!
- Rubbing basil leaves on insect bites can help soothe the itch!
- Some cultures believe basil brings good luck or protects against evil spirits!
- There are over 150 different types of basil, each with unique flavors!

## Special abilities

- **Aromatic Shield:** Basil produces strong aromatic oils that deter some pests and attract beneficial insects, protecting its leaves.
- **Sun Seeker:** Basil's broad, light-catching leaves are optimized to absorb maximum sunlight, fueling its fast growth in warm climates.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-60 cm
- **Spread:** 20-40 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees visit its flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Eats:** Green Peach Aphid (*Myzus persicae*) — Aphids feed on basil's sap, potentially weakening the plant.
- **Eats:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans cultivate and consume basil as a popular herb.
- **Hunts:** Seven-spotted Ladybug (*Coccinella septempunctata*) — Ladybugs prey on aphids that feed on basil plants.

## Traits

- [Herbaceous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbaceous): Herbaceous plants are non-woody plants with soft stems that typically die back to the ground at the end of the growing season.
- [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Spice](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spice): This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Basil?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Basil?

30-60 cm

### How wide does Basil spread?

20-40 cm

### How big are the flowers on Basil?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Basil bloom?

Summer

### Is Basil edible?

Yes

### Is Basil toxic?

None

### What is Basil's lifecycle?

Annual

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Basil: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/basil)