Ocimum gratissimum

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Ocimum

wild basil

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennial herbs, woody at base.

Stems: Stems 1–3 m long.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades broadly to narrowly ovate, usually 5–13 cm long, 3–9 cm wide. Apex acuminate. Base cuneate. Upper surfaces glabrate to sparsely puberulent; lower surfaces puberulent on veins, Surfaces copiously glandular punctate. Margins serrate. Petioles 1–6 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Calyx actinomorphic, bilabiate, 3–5 mm long, ovoid or campanulate, deflexed & enlarging up to ca. 7 mm long in fruit, tube usually 2–2.5 mm long at anthesis, sparsely hispidulous or puberulent and dotted with sessile oil globules, glabrous within, upper lobe ovate, median lobes of lower lip shorter than lateral ones, 10–nerved, upper lip large, broad and flat, strongly reflexed in fruit, lower lip usually 4-toothed, the teeth narrow and pungent. Corolla bilabiate, campanulate, greenish white to greenish yellow, 4–7 mm long, glabrous within, upper lip erect, subequally 4-lobed, lower lip slightly longer, curved downward, flattened or concave, entire; nectary disk entire or 2–4-lobed, symmetrical. Stamens 4, in 2 pairs, exserted beyond corolla tube; anther sacs confluent; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 2-carpellate, placentation basal-axile; ovules 1 per ovary lobe; style 2-lobed; stigmas 2.

Fruit: Nutlets subglobose; 1.5–2 mm in diameter; slightly rugose. Seeds with endosperm absent or scanty and oily.

Ploidy: 2n = 24; 40; 48; 64

Habitat: Naturalized in low elevation; dry; disturbed habitats.

Elevation Range: 3–430 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Specimens

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 1197 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:808 (Ni, O, Mo, M, H); Lorence et al. 1995:39 (K); Staples & Herbst 2005:356, 359 (KEY), 360 (DESCR); Starr & Starr 2017:5 (Ka)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Ocimum gratissimum L. honolulu district: koko head garden of G.P.Wilder PRESERVED_SPECIMEN bruegmann, m.m. collector number: 116 Oahu BISH 1/17/1983
2 Ocimum gratissimum L. Waianae PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Krauss, N.L.H. 899 Oahu BISH 4/23/1963
3 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kona, kiilae Bay, near grove of ten coconuts PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Bryan Jr., E.H. s.n. Hawaii BISH 1/23/1957
4 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kaluakoi District, Lono Harbor PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 5730 Molokai BISH 3/9/1976
5 Ocimum gratissimum L. Roadside, Wireless Station, Maunalua, Koko head PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 10397 Oahu BISH 2/28/1930
6 Ocimum gratissimum L. pohakupili Scattered and sometimes locally common. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oppenheimer, h.l. collector number: h120622 Molokai BISH 12/8/2006
7 Ocimum gratissimum L. kaluakoi district, lono harbor PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. collector number: 5730 Molokai BISH 3/9/1976
8 Ocimum gratissimum L. Koko Head, algaroba forest near station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Christophersen, E. s.n. Oahu BISH 9/16/1924
9 Ocimum gratissimum L. Queen's Beach Rocky, sandy coastal plain PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wagner, W.L. 5339 Oahu BISH 2/19/1984
10 Ocimum gratissimum L. koko head PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wilder, g.p. Oahu BISH 1/22/1931
11 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kapaa, Apopo Road, outside fence and along roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N. 1354 Kauai BISH 5/31/2007
12 Ocimum gratissimum L. waipio (kiawe grove makai of) PRESERVED_SPECIMEN caum, e.l. Oahu BISH 12/10/1937
13 Ocimum gratissimum L. growing in shade of tall leucaena leucocephala just east of farrington hwy. keaau, waianae district PRESERVED_SPECIMEN nagata, k.m. park, g. collector number: 2037 Oahu BISH 2/17/1980
14 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kaawaloa beside road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. s.n. Hawaii BISH 9/5/1985
15 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kaupo, near sea level PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Shinbara, B. s.n. Maui BISH 6/17/1963
16 Ocimum gratissimum L. Pohakupili Scattered and sometimes locally common. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. H120622 Molokai BISH 12/8/2006
17 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kapaa, Apopo Road, outside fence and along roadside. Collected as part of KISC 2007 Early Detection Roadside Survey. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 1354 Kauai PTBG 5/31/2007
18 Ocimum gratissimum L. honolulu district, koko head, between nonoula and ihiihilauakea craters and up se slope to top of kuamookane ridge PRESERVED_SPECIMEN m. bruegmann 116 MU 1/17/1983
19 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kalaheo, Kikala Road, Honua Farm (Emrick residence). Cultivated plants. Cultivated. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 1951 Kauai PTBG 11/17/1986
20 Ocimum gratissimum L. Pohakupili, scattered and sometimes locally common shrubs to nearly 2 m tall. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H120622 Molokai PTBG 12/8/2006
21 Ocimum gratissimum L. Waimea Dist. Kekaha Rd (Hwy 55) along Pokii Ridge through Waipao Valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. W. 1990 Kauai US 12/4/1986
22 Ocimum gratissimum L. kaalakei valley, koolan mts. Dry valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg 14121 Oahu US 6/20/1937
23 Ocimum gratissimum L. Barking Sands. Pacific Missile Range Facility, U. S. Navy. Just west of base housing. In Prosopis thicket. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 2705 Kauai PTBG 1/18/1988
24 Ocimum gratissimum L. West of Nu'u Pond. Roadside weed. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H110207 Maui PTBG 11/9/2002
25 Ocimum gratissimum L. Landward end of Koko Head PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F. R. 27120 Oahu US 10/19/1946
26 Ocimum gratissimum L. waimea dist. kekaha rd (hwy 55) along pokii ridge through waipao valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN t. w. flynn 1990 Maui US 12/4/1986
27 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kapa`a, Apopo Road, outside fence and alongside roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N. 1354 Kauai US 5/31/2007
28 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kaluakoi District, Kamakaipo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D. R.; Spence, G. 5730 Molokai US 3/9/1976
29 Ocimum gratissimum L. Honolulu District, Koko Head, between Nonoula and Ihiihilauakea Craters and up SE slope to top of Kuamookane ridge PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Bruegmann, M. M. 116 Oahu US 1/17/1983
30 Ocimum gratissimum L. Koko Head PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F. R. 29653 Oahu US 3/7/1948
31 Ocimum gratissimum L. Landward end of Koko Head Common on dry grassy slopes. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F.R. 27120 Oahu BISH 10/19/1946
32 Ocimum gratissimum L. waimea districk. kekaha road (hwy 55) along pokii ridge through waipao valley Heavily grazed shrubland dominated by Bothriochloa pertusa nad Lantana camara. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. collector number: 1990 Kauai BISH 12/4/1986
33 Ocimum gratissimum L. cultivated by m.emrick, honua farm, kikala rd., kalaheo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hume, l. collector number: 387 Kauai BISH 7/27/1989
34 Ocimum gratissimum L. E slope of Head of Kalama Valley, Maunalua Dry bushy slope. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F. R. 88 Oahu US 3/7/1937
35 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kaalakei Valley, Koolan Mts. Dry valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F. R. 14121 Oahu US 6/20/1937
36 Ocimum gratissimum L. papaanui PRESERVED_SPECIMEN d. r. herbst 857 Maui US 1/5/1968
37 Ocimum gratissimum L. e slope of head of kalama valley, maunalua Dry bushy slope. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg 88 Oahu US 3/7/1937
38 Ocimum gratissimum L. landward end of koko head PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg 27120 Oahu US 10/19/1946
39 Ocimum gratissimum L. kapa`a, apopo road, outside fence and alongside roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. tangalin 1354 Kauai US 5/31/2007
40 Ocimum gratissimum L. Papaanui PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D. R. 857 Maui US 1/5/1968
41 Ocimum gratissimum L. Hahaione Valley, mouth. Dry ground. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fosberg, F. R. 13547 Oahu US 1/16/1937
42 Ocimum gratissimum L. kaluakoi district, kamakaipo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN d. r. herbst & g. spence 5730 Kauai US 3/9/1976
43 Ocimum gratissimum L. koko head PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg 29653 Oahu US 3/7/1948
44 Ocimum gratissimum L. hamakua marsh; kailua, mauka (mountainside) of hamakua drive Small shrub upland from marsh under scattered Prosopis, Citharexylum spinosum & Schinus. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN imada, c.t. engilis, a.; yuen, a.; dr.duk collector number: 92-3 Oahu BISH 4/4/1992
45 Ocimum gratissimum L. Waimea Districk. Kekaha Road (Hwy 55) along Pokii Ridge through Waipao Valley Heavily grazed shrubland dominated by Bothriochloa pertusa nad Lantana camara. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 1990 Kauai BISH 12/4/1986
46 Ocimum gratissimum L. collegected along coastal and inland trail at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Higashino, P.K. 10324 Hawaii BISH 4/8/1984
47 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kekaha Road (Hwy 55) along Pokii Ridge through Waipao Valley. Heavily grazed shrubland dominated by Bothriochloa pertusa and Lantana camara. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 1990 Kauai PTBG 12/4/1986
48 Ocimum gratissimum L. koko head dry grassland areas PRESERVED_SPECIMEN cowan, r.s. collector number: 860 Oahu BISH 3/7/1948
49 Ocimum gratissimum L. Pohakupili Scattered and sometimes locally common. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. Collector Number: H120622 Molokai BISH 12/8/2006
50 Ocimum gratissimum L. hahaione valley, mouth. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. r. fosberg 13547 Kauai US 1/16/1937
51 Ocimum gratissimum L. growing along road in shade of prosopis trees; papaanui Dry. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. collector number: 857 Maui BISH 1/5/1968
52 Ocimum gratissimum L. farmer's market, koloa park. sold as herb by local grower PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hume, l. collector number: 382 Kauai BISH 5/8/1989
53 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kaluakoi District, Kamakaipo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 5730 Molokai BISH 3/9/1976
54 Ocimum gratissimum L. Ulaino in hala forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hobdy, R.W. 256 Maui BISH 8/6/1971
55 Ocimum gratissimum L. Koko Head PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wilder, G.P. s.n. Oahu BISH 1/22/1931
56 Ocimum gratissimum L. Barking Sands. Pacific Missile Range Facility. U.S.Navy. Just west of base housing in Prosopis thicket PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 2705 Kauai BISH 1/18/1988
57 Ocimum gratissimum L. cultivated by M.Emrick, Honua Farm, Kikala Rd., Kalaheo PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hume, L. 387 Kauai BISH 7/27/1989
58 Ocimum gratissimum L. Farmer's Market, Koloa Park. Sold as herb by local grower PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hume, L. 382 Kauai BISH 5/8/1989
59 Ocimum gratissimum L. growing along road in shade of Prosopis trees; Papaanui Dry PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 857 Maui BISH 1/5/1968
60 Ocimum gratissimum L. barking sands. pacific missile range facility. u.s.navy. just west of base housing in prosopis thicket The plant is scattered throughout the lower part of the reserve. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. collector number: 2705 Hawaii BISH 1/18/1988
61 Ocimum gratissimum L. Valley north of Kuapa Lake PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Gillespie, J.W. 1102 Oahu BISH 7/8/1927
62 Ocimum gratissimum L. kona, kiilae bay, near grove of ten coconuts PRESERVED_SPECIMEN bryan jr., e.h. Hawaii BISH 1/23/1957
63 Ocimum gratissimum L. koko head . rog PRESERVED_SPECIMEN judd jr., a.f. collector number: 37 Oahu BISH 11/25/1925
64 Ocimum gratissimum L. Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Kipuka at the head of the trail towards Pohaku Paea from the midstop along Makena-Keoneoio road Pockets of vegetation in a'a lava and at roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Abbott, I.A. 91.54 Maui BISH 3/6/1991
65 Ocimum gratissimum L. kaupo, near sea level PRESERVED_SPECIMEN shinbara, b. Maui BISH 6/17/1963
66 Ocimum gratissimum L. queen's beach Rocky, sandy coastal plain PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wagner, w.l. collector number: 5339 Oahu BISH 2/19/1984
67 Ocimum gratissimum L. growing along road in shade of Prosopis trees; Papaanui Dry. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 857 Maui BISH 1/5/1968
68 Ocimum gratissimum L. landward end of koko head Common on dry grassy slopes. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fosberg, f.r. collector number: 27120 Oahu BISH 10/19/1946
69 Ocimum gratissimum L. koko head, algaroba forest near station PRESERVED_SPECIMEN christophersen, e. Oahu BISH 9/16/1924
70 Ocimum gratissimum L. ahihi-kinau natural area reserve, kipuka at the head of the trail towards pohaku paea from the midstop along makena-keoneoio road Pockets of vegetation in a'a lava and at roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN abbott, i.a. norris, f.m. collector number: 91.54 Maui BISH 3/6/1991
71 Ocimum gratissimum L. kaluakoi district, kamakaipo; PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. spence, g. collector number: 5730 Lanai BISH 3/9/1976
72 Ocimum gratissimum L. kapaa, apopo road, outside fence and along roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN tangalin, n. collector number: 1354 BISH 5/31/2007
73 Ocimum gratissimum L. Koko Head . Rog PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Judd Jr., A.F. 37 Oahu BISH 11/25/1925
74 Ocimum gratissimum L. Koko Head region PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Swezey, O.H. 254 Hawaii BISH 2/17/1934
75 Ocimum gratissimum L. waianae PRESERVED_SPECIMEN krauss, n.l.h. collector number: 899 Oahu BISH 4/23/1963
76 Ocimum gratissimum L. kiekie, 0.5 mi. ne, patch by roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 22792 Niihau BISH 8/14/1947
77 Ocimum gratissimum L. collegected along coastal and inland trail at puuhonua o honaunau national historical park PRESERVED_SPECIMEN higashino, p.k. stemmermann, r.l.; allen, m.s. collector number: 10324 Hawaii BISH 4/8/1984
78 Ocimum gratissimum L. kaawaloa beside road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN corn, c. collector number: s.n. Hawaii BISH 9/5/1985
79 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kiekie, 0.5 mi. NE, patch by roadside PreservedSpecimen St. John, H. Collector Number: 22792 Niihau BISH Specimen 8/14/1947
80 Ocimum gratissimum L. Dry algaroba forest, Koko Crater PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Christophersen, E. 1296 Oahu BISH 4/6/1930
81 Ocimum gratissimum L. Koko Head dry grassland areas PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Cowan, R.S. 860 Oahu BISH 3/7/1948
82 Ocimum gratissimum L. valley north of kuapa lake PRESERVED_SPECIMEN gillespie, j.w. collector number: 1102 Oahu BISH 7/8/1927
83 Ocimum gratissimum L. Honolulu District: Koko Head PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Bruegmann, M.M. 116 Oahu BISH 1/17/1983
84 Ocimum gratissimum L. ulaino in hala forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hobdy, r.w. collector number: 256 Maui BISH 8/6/1971
85 Ocimum gratissimum L. Kiekie, 0.5 mi NE, patch by roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 22792 Niihau BISH 8/14/1947
86 Ocimum gratissimum L. roadside, wireless station, maunalua, koko head PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 10397 Oahu BISH 2/28/1930
87 Ocimum gratissimum L. Hamakua Marsh; Kailua, mauka (mountainside) of Hamakua Drive Small shrub upland from marsh under scattered Prosopis, Citharexylum spinosum & Schinus. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Imada, C.T. 92-3 Oahu BISH 4/4/1992
88 Ocimum gratissimum L. growing along road in shade of prosopis trees; papaanui Dry PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. collector number: 857 Maui BISH 1/5/1968
89 Ocimum gratissimum L. growing in shade of tall Leucaena leucocephala just east of Farrington Hwy. Keaau, Waianae District PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nagata, K.M. 2037 Oahu BISH 2/17/1980
90 Ocimum gratissimum L. koko head region PRESERVED_SPECIMEN swezey, o.h. collector number: 254 Hawaii BISH 2/17/1934
91 Ocimum gratissimum L. Waipio (Kiawe grove makai of) PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Caum, E.L. s.n. Oahu BISH 12/10/1937