wild basil

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cushion calamint
• dogmint
• field basil
• wild basil
• wild basil savory
• American wild basil

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acinos vulgaris
• Thymus clinopodium
• Satureja clinopodium
• Melissa vulgaris
• Melissa clinopodium
• Calamintha clinopodium
• Faucibarba clinopodium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, specifically residing in the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed within the genus Clinopodium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the northern regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing across the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its presence extends westward to include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the territories of Norway. Together, these locations define its primary geographical range across the northern latitudes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clinopodium vulgare is characterized by its broad adaptability to diverse vertical gradients and specific vegetative environments. This species exhibits a vast elevational range, thriving at altitudes starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) and extending up to a maximum of 3500 m AMSL. Within these altitudinal limits, its distribution is primarily dictated by the presence of specific vegetation structures, as it is commonly found inhabiting forest ecosystems and shrubberies.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Clinopodium vulgare is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennable buds are located at or just below the soil surface, a structural adaptation that helps protect the plant during unfavorable conditions. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage during its dormant period to conserve resources.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clinopodium vulgare is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This self-supporting plant typically maintains a relatively modest stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.8 m, resulting in an average height of approximately 0.375 m. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and is classified as a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic or epiphytic one. As a non-climbing, self-supporting herb, it maintains its structure without the need for lianas or vines to ascend.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.375 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Clinopodium vulgare is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than trapping prey, and it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it depends on available nitrogen in the substrate. The plant's leaf morphology plays a significant role in its resource management, with an average leaf size of 10.55 cm² and a mean leaf width of 1.6 cm. The leaves reach a maximum length of 2.3 cm, and the specific leaf area (SLA) is measured at a mean of 236 cm²/g, a value that reflects the plant's strategy regarding leaf thickness and its capacity for light interception relative to its biomass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

2.3 cm

Leaf size mean:

10.55 cm²

Leaf width mean:

1.6 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

236 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Clinopodium vulgare is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system, with asexual reproduction being absent and self-fertilization also noted as absent. The flowering period typically begins in July and continues through September. The plant relies on biotic pollination, specifically employing an insect-based pollination syndrome where bees play a key role in the process. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces dry fruits with an average length of 1 cm. Each fruit contains a significant number of seeds, ranging from 11 to 100 per fruit. The seeds are quite uniform in dimension, with a mean length, width, and minimum/maximum width all recorded at 10 mm, and a consistent seed volume of 0.35 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds are very lightweight, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.00037672225 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.0003 g to a maximum of 0.00053 g. The dispersal of these seeds is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, meaning the plant utilizes autochory for seed dispersal.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length mean:

1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

10 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00053 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00037672225 g

Seed mass min:

3e-04 g

Seed volume max:

0.35 mm³

Seed width mean:

10 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

11-100

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clinopodium vulgare has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, CATECHIN, Neochlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

CATECHIN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Neochlorogenic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

rosmarinic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Clinopodium vulgare has 16 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Antiviral.

Antibacterial

1. Heliyon
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Heliyon
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antihypertensive

1. Heliyon

Medicinal Uses

Clinopodium vulgare has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, gastric ulcers, inflammation, wound-healing, wounds.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations