Varieties of Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Varieties of Ba= sil, = Ocimum sp. (Lamiaceae)

Common name	*Botanical = Name*	Characteristi= cs	Use/comments<= /span>
Aussie Sweetie	Ocimum basilicum ‘Aussie Sweetie’	Columnar growth habit, 3-4 ft. ta= ll, late bloomer	Good culinary basil; complex arom= a
Cinnamon	Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’	Spicy aroma and taste; growth hab= it similar to sweet basil	Jelly, vinegar, tea, potpourri; a= dd to fresh floral arrangements
Cuban	Ocimum basilicum ‘Cuban’	Columnar form with showy, cone-sh= aped flower heads	Good culinary basil
Fino<= /span> Verde	Ocimum basilicum ‘Fino Verde’	Compact growth habit with intense= sweet basil flavor	Perfect for containers
Genoa	Ocimum basilicum ‘Genovese’	Wonderful flavor & fragrance;= large leaves	Genoa/Genovese is a favorite for = pesto in Italy and America
Lemon	Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum = x O. americanum)	Intensely fragrant lemon flavor <= /span>	Ideal for tea or potpourri=
Lime	Ocimum basilicum ‘Lime’	Lime scented; similar to lemon ba= sil	Tea, fruit salads
Lettuce Leaf	Ocimum basilicum ‘Lettuce Leaf’	Large, ruffled leaves	Add to green salads, sauces
Lesbos	Ocimum basilicum ‘Lesbos&= #8217;	Columnar growth habit; late bloom= er	Add to green salads, herb flavore= d pestos & herb butters
Magical Michael	Ocimum basilicum ‘Magical Michael’	‘All America Winner’ = in 2002; compact lush green foliage	Good container plant; ornamental, aromatic & edible
Mammoth	Ocimum basilicum ‘Mammoth’	The name says it all! Large leave= s; good flavor & fragrance	Similar to lettuce leaf
Nufar= Genovese	Ocimum basilicum ‘Nufar&#= 8217;	The first fu= sarium-resistant variety of sweet basil	Genovese type—good for pest= o
Osmin= Purple	Ocimum basilicum ‘Osmin&#= 8217;	Darkest of the purple basils	Vinegars; ornamental landscape us= e
Purple Ruffles	Ocimum basilicum ‘Purple Ruffles’	‘All America Winner’ = 1987; ruffled leaves add visual interest	Vinegars; wonderful in the orname= ntal border
Common name	*Botanical = Name*	Characteristi= cs	Use/comments<= /span>
Red Rubin	Ocimum basilicum ‘Red Rubin’<= /p>	Reddish purple leaves; vigorous p= lant with good color	Jellies; vinegars
Sacred	Ocimum tenuiflorum	Compact globe shape; intoxicating= clove scent	Heavy bloomer; ornamental<= /p>
Thai Basil, Siam Queen	Ocimum basilicum ‘Siam Queen’	‘All America Winner ‘= 1997; spicy anise-licorice aroma and flavor	Ornamental & culinary uses
Spicy Globe	Ocimum basilicum min= imum ‘Spicy Globe’	Attractive bush basil; compact pl= ant with rounded shape	Good container plant; spicy aroma= and taste.

&nb= sp;Basil is the 2003 ‘He= rb of the Year’. Our list includes several popular varieties of this flavor= ful herb, but there are many more varieties of basil commercially available. We hope = to have all the varieties above at our 2003 Herb Plant Sale (to be held on May= 10, 2003). Several sources have been used to compile this list: Basil, An Herb Lover’s Guide, by Thomas DeBaggio & Susan Belsinger, Interweave Press, 1996; Richter’s Herb Catalog; plus various Internet sources. 5/6/03 rkh