basil

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• basil
• basil
• sweet-basil
• Sweet Basil
• thai basil

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ocimum basilicum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Ocimum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several regions across the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is commonly found growing in Germany. The species also extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically inhabiting the landscapes of Bulgaria and Romania. Finally, its range reaches into Eastern Europe, where it is located throughout South European Russia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ocimum basilicum is characterized by a broad elevational distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1800 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 310 m AMSL. Regarding its preferred environments, the species is primarily cultivated throughout Ukraine and Central Asia, though it is known to occasionally become naturalized in these regions. Furthermore, the plant does not form symbiotic associations with mycorrhizae, as it does not exhibit mycorrhizal traits.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

310 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

cultivated in the Ukraine and Central Asia, sometimes naturalized

Mycorrhiza :

no

Genetics

The genetics of Ocimum basilicum are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture and varying levels of polyploidy. The species typically exhibits a chromosome number of 16, though higher numbers such as 48 have been documented in specific varieties, reflecting significant genomic diversity within the species. In terms of its reproductive and developmental framework, the plant frequently manifests a ploidy level of 2, denoting its diploid nature, which serves as the foundational genetic state for its essential oil production and morphological traits.

Chromosome number :

16, 48

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Ocimum basilicum is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its morphological classification, it is categorized as a therophyte, a life form defined by plants that survive the unfavorable seasons as ephemeral seeds. This strategy allows the plant to exist in a dormant state during periods of environmental stress, rapidly germinating to exploit favorable conditions for growth, flowering, and eventual senescence.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Ocimum basilicum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or vine-like tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic lifestyles. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.33 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.333333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ocimum basilicum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Morphologically, the plant exhibits specific leaf dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 6 cm, and leaf widths spanning from a minimum of 1.3 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, with a mean width recorded at 1 cm. In terms of specialized nutritional and water-storage strategies, the species is non-succulent and is categorized as a non-carnivorous plant. Furthermore, it does not possess the physiological mechanisms for biological nitrogen fixation, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

1.3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ocimum basilicum is primarily driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in August, characterized by small, pink-colored flowers that range in length from 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits classified as nuts, which are indehiscent in nature. These fruits are quite small, measuring between 0.15 cm and 0.35 cm in length. Within these fruits, the seeds possess a mean mass of approximately 0.001236667 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.00039 g to a maximum of 0.00228 g. Dispersal of the offspring occurs through both hydrochorous (water) and autochorous (self-dispersal) syndromes, ensuring the distribution of seeds across the environment.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

0.5 cm

Flower length min:

0.2 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.15 cm

Fruit type :

nut

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00228 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001236667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00039 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ocimum basilicum has 5 reported plant parts identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, seed, stem, flower.

Leaf

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan
2. Pharmaceutics
3. Biomolecules
4. Experimental parasitology
5. Folia microbiologica

Root

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Biotechnology reports (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
3. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Seed

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Microscopy research and technique
3. World journal of gastroenterology

Stem

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Flower

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Chemicals

Ocimum basilicum has 384 reported phytochemicals identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Linalool, Methyl chavicol, eugenol, rosmarinic acid, Flavonoids.

Linalool

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Pharmaceutical biology
5. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology

Methyl chavicol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food chemistry
3. Phytochemistry
4. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology
5. Scientific reports

eugenol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Phytochemistry
5. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

rosmarinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology
3. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology
5. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

Flavonoids

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Metabolites
4. Scientifica
5. BMC plant biology

Estragole

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Fitoterapia
4. Scientific reports
5. Chemico-biological interactions

Methyl eugenol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Phytochemistry
4. Scientific reports
5. Environmental science and pollution research international

caffeic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology
3. Mycorrhiza
4. Biotechnology and applied biochemistry
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy
5. BMC plant biology

proline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Protoplasma
3. 3 Biotech
4. Gene
5. Journal of applied research on medicinal and aromatic plants

Activities

Ocimum basilicum has 825 reported activities identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antiviral.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientifica
3. Indian journal of experimental biology
4. Drug and chemical toxicology
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
3. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan
4. Pharmaceutics
5. Drug design, development and therapy

Antimicrobial

1. Microorganisms
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Microbial pathogenesis
4. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Biotechnology and applied biochemistry

Antifungal

1. Scientifica
2. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan
3. Natural product research
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Scientific reports

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of applied research on medicinal and aromatic plants
4. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
4. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Neuroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticonvulsant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of food science and technology
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Indian journal of experimental biology
3. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

Conditions

Ocimum basilicum has 122 reported investigations on conditions identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, Staphylococcus aureus, inflammation, oxidative stress, salinity stress.

Cancer

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Open veterinary journal
3. Molecular biology reports
4. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
5. Genomics

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Natural product communications
4. Biotechnology and applied biochemistry

Inflammation

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Pharmaceutics
4. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of food biochemistry
2. 3 Biotech
3. Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Salinity stress

1. Acta biologica Hungarica
2. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
3. 3 Biotech
4. Frontiers in plant science

Antidiabetic

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Gastrointestinal disorders

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association
3. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Headaches

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Ancient science of life
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infectious diseases

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Parasite (Paris, France)
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Preparations

Ocimum basilicum has 65 reported preparations identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils, aqueous extract, extracts, aqueous Ocimum basilicum extract, callus cultures.

Essential oils

1. Tropical biomedicine
2. Natural product research
3. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
4. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of food biochemistry
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Extracts

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Cell biochemistry and function
5. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Aqueous ocimum basilicum extract

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Callus cultures

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
2. Protoplasma

Essential oil

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
2. Chemico-biological interactions

Leaf extract

1. Pharmaceutics
2. 3 Biotech

Leaves extract

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Methanolic extract

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Methanolic extracts

1. Biomolecules
2. Toxics