Beefsteak Plant
ExplorePlants
Beefsteak Plant
perilla frutescens
The Beefsteak Plant has beautiful green leaves that can look purple in the sun! It's not just pretty; it has a yummy flavor that many people love to use in cooking.
Habitat: You can find it in gardens and farms, usually in warm climates.
Appearance
The Beefsteak Plant has distinctive ovate to broad-ovate leaves, often deeply serrated, that range from vibrant green to deep purple. Its square stems bear tiny, inconspicuous white to pale purple flowers arranged in slender terminal spikes.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyLamiaceaeGenusPerilla
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It's a super popular herb in Asian cooking, giving dishes a unique spicy flavor!
Its leaves can be bright green, deep purple, or even a mix of both colors!
Many people call it 'Shiso' or 'Perilla' depending on where they live!
The plant's tiny seeds are pressed to make a healthy oil, rich in good fats!
Special abilities
Ability
Aromatic Shield
Beefsteak Plant has powerful aromatic oils that deter common herbivores, helping it stay safe from hungry creatures.
Ability
Seed Spreader
Beefsteak Plant can self-seed vigorously, scattering its tiny seeds widely to grow new plants easily each year.
Ability
Sunscreen Pigments
Beefsteak Plant can produce vibrant purple pigments, which might protect its leaves from too much sun.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 20-40 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.3-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late summer to fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Two-spotted bumblebee
Bombus bimaculatus
Helps transfer pollen between its small blooms.
eats
Human
Homo sapiens
Cultivates and consumes its flavorful leaves and seeds.
eaten by
Cotton aphid
Aphis gossypii
Feeds on the sap from its leaves and stems.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Beefsteak LeafPerillaShiso
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Beefsteak Plant?
30-90 cm
How wide does Beefsteak Plant spread?
20-40 cm
How big are the flowers on Beefsteak Plant?
0.3-0.5 cm
When does Beefsteak Plant bloom?
Late summer to fall
Is Beefsteak Plant edible?
Yes
Is Beefsteak Plant toxic?
None
What is Beefsteak Plant's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Beefsteak Plant pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg&width=800)