Ocimum americanum

American Basil, "Lemon Basil," "Hoary Basil"

Message of the Flower

Conquering Fervour

The Mother’s Comment

An ardour which fears no obstacles.

Colour

White, pink

Family

Lamiaceae

Cultivars

Few known; variations mainly in aroma and leaf size

Person who named the flower

Carl Linnaeus

Flower Size

Small, typically a few millimeters across

Flower Texture

Delicate

Number of Petals

Five, fused into a tube

Floral Symmetry

Bilateral

Fragrance of Flower

Lemon-scented due to essential oils

Leaf Texture

Slightly hairy, rough

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Color

Green, sometimes with a hint of purple

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Herbaceous plant

Life Cycle

Annual

Blooming Period

Summer to early fall

Climate

Prefers warm, tropical to subtropical climates

Water Requirements

Moderate; does not tolerate waterlogging

Soil Type

Well-drained, fertile soil

Temperature Ranges

Above freezing; frost-sensitive

Sun or Shade

Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Aphids, spider mites, fungal diseases like downy mildew

Pollinators

Bees and other insects

Habitat

Grown in gardens and farms; originates from tropical Asia and Africa

Role in the Ecosystem

Attracts beneficial insects; culinary and medicinal uses support biodiversity

Ornamental

Grown for its aromatic leaves and small, decorative flowers

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Herbal remedies, essential oils, culinary seasoning

Endangered Status

Not endangered; widely cultivated

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