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Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton
| Family Name: | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
| Synonyms: | Acrymia nankinensis |
| Common Name: | Beefsteak Plant, Perilla, Perilla Mint, Chinese Basil, 紫苏 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, China |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herb up to 2 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are ovate (egg-shaped) to round with a toothed leaf margin (2-13 cm long, 1.5-10 cm wide). They are arranged in pairs with alternate pairs being perpendicular to one another. |
| Flowers | White to purple-red flowers are tubular and 2-lipped. They occur in pairs along a spike-like (racemose) or branched (paniculate) inflorescence. |
| Fruit | The fruit is composed of 4 approximately round nutlets which are grey-brown to black-brown (1-2 mm wide). The nutlets have a netted surface and remain inside the calyx (the outermost layer of the flower). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers, Edible Seeds Food (Herb or Spice): In Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine, nearly all parts of the plant (except stem and roots) are used to flavor a wide variety of dishes, such as rice, noodles, fish, desserts, and beverages. (Fruit or Vegetable) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Purple |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate, Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Orbicular / Round) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate, Mucronate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
| Typical Foliar Size | 2 cm to 13 cm |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
| Typical Fruiting Age | 5 months to 6 months |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1032 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2326 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
