Lemon basil

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lemon basil
• hoary basil

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum
• Ocimum × pilosum
• Ocimum × petitianum
• Ocimum × citriodorum
• Ocimum basilicum var. anisatum
• Ocimum americanum var. pilosum
• Ocimum × graveolens

Sources: Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into 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 broad geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted in Guinea. Moving toward the center of the continent, it is found within West-Central Tropical Africa in both Cameroon and the DR Congo. The species also reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it inhabits Ethiopia. Finally, its range extends to East Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Kenya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Ocimum × africanum is characterized by its classification as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its development. Regarding its habitat and growth habit, the plant is strictly terrestrial rather than aquatic or semiaquatic, and it does not function as an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Ocimum × africanum is primarily achieved through the production of small, specialized seeds that facilitate dispersal and subsequent germination. The reproductive success of the species is closely tied to the physical characteristics of its seeds, which exhibit a specific range of mass values. On average, the seed mass is approximately 0.00074 g, reflecting a highly consistent reproductive output. Within the population, individual seed mass shows subtle variations, ranging from a minimum of 0.00068 g to a maximum of 8e-04 g (0.0008 g). These precise measurements in seed weight are critical factors in the plant's ability to establish new seedlings and maintain its presence within its ecological niche.

Seed mass max:

8e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00074 g

Seed mass min:

0.00068 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ocimum × africanum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3',4',5',5,7-Pentamethoxyflavone, GERANIAL, Laciniatin, NERAL, Sinensetin.

3',4',5',5,7-Pentamethoxyflavone

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

GERANIAL

1. Phytochemistry

Laciniatin

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

NERAL

1. Phytochemistry

Sinensetin

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Activities

Ocimum × africanum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.

Anticancer

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Medicinal Uses

Ocimum × africanum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses