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Ocimum gratissimum

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

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

wild basil

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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

Images

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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

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 2005:359 (KEY), 360 (DESCR); Starr & Starr 2017:5 (Ka)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Ocimum gratissimum 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 Scattered bushes about 1 m high; conspicuous brown calyces. Abbott, I.A. 91.54 Maui BISH 1991-03-06
2 Ocimum gratissimum Honolulu District: Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Bruegmann, M.M. 116 Oahu BISH 1983-01-17
3 Ocimum gratissimum Koko Head, algaroba forest near station Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Oahu BISH 1924-09-16
4 Ocimum gratissimum Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1931-01-22
5 Ocimum gratissimum Waipio (Kiawe grove makai of) Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. Oahu BISH 1937-12-10
6 Ocimum gratissimum Kaawaloa beside road Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Hawaii BISH 1985-09-05
7 Ocimum gratissimum Waimea Districk. Kekaha Road (Hwy 55) along Pokii Ridge through Waipao Valley Heavily grazed shrubland dominated by Bothriochloa pertusa nad Lantana camara. Preserved_Specimen Herb of two ft. along roadside with numerous othe ralien species. Corolla plae green. Flynn, T.W. 1990 Kauai BISH 1986-12-04
8 Ocimum gratissimum growing along road in shade of Prosopis trees; Papaanui Dry. Preserved_Specimen Flowers greenish. Herbst, D.R. 857 Maui BISH 1968-01-05
9 Ocimum gratissimum Rt 450, c.a. 10 km E of 'Ualapu'e Roadside weed in sunny, moist area Preserved_Specimen Rare here where only 3 mature plants and 3 seedlings were found, but this was common or even dominant in 'Ualapu'e in pastures and roadsides with many hundreds of plants seen in that area Faccenda, K. 2950 Molokai BISH 2022-12-29
10 Ocimum gratissimum Landward end of Koko Head Common on dry grassy slopes. Preserved_Specimen Aromtaic suffrutescent herb, young growth just starting. Fosberg, F.R. 27120 Oahu BISH 1946-10-19
11 Ocimum gratissimum Upper Hakioawa, South Hakioawa Trail. Common along trail, with Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia farnesiana, Prosopis pallida, and Cenchrus ciliaris. Preserved_Specimen Common. Lowland scrub Starr, F. 15121301 Kahoolawe BISH 2015-12-13
12 Ocimum gratissimum Makapu'u point, sea cliffs between the lookout and the highway. Off of the official trail Dry, sunny area Preserved_Specimen Uncommon, 5-10 plants seen. From thick tap root, very fragrant like basil Faccenda, K. 2233 Oahu BISH 2022-02-12
13 Ocimum gratissimum Kaiwi Shoreline Hike. On open sunny slope at edge of Prosopis/Leucaena grassland and dense Rhizophora mangroves. Surrounded by grass. With Batis maritima, Leucaena leucocephala, and Pulchea indica. Preserved_Specimen 1.3m tall. Stem ~4cm diameter at base. Woodier parts of stem with a pale brownish gray, lightly cracked and flakey bark. Herbaceous parts of the stems squarish, green with purple corners. Many flower heads >50. Sepals green at base becoming purple at apex. Corolla pale greenish yellow almost white. Labellum paler than rest of corolla. Filaments and style white. Leaves fragrant when broken producing an oregano-catnippy scent. Two other individual plants observed at separate locations on trail. Walvoord, N. 2021002 Oahu BISH 2021-02-13
14 Ocimum gratissimum Pohakupili Scattered and sometimes locally common. Preserved_Specimen Shrubs to nearly 2m tall; leaves aromatic. Oppenheimer, H.L. 120622 Molokai BISH 2006-12-08
15 Ocimum gratissimum growing along road in shade of Prosopis trees; Papaanui Dry Preserved_Specimen Flowers greenish. Shrub about 4 ft. tall. Herbst, D.R. 857 Maui BISH 1968-01-05
16 Ocimum gratissimum Hamakua Marsh; Kailua, mauka (mountainside) of Hamakua Drive Small shrub upland from marsh under scattered Prosopis, Citharexylum spinosum & Schinus. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 923 Oahu BISH 1992-04-04
17 Ocimum gratissimum Kaalakei (Keawaawa) Valley, Koolau Mts. Dry valley under *?* trees. *See specimen* Preserved_Specimen Shrub 1 m tall foliage pleasently aromatic. F.R. Fosberg 14121 Oahu BISH 1937-06-20
18 Ocimum gratissimum growing along road in shade of Prosopis trees; Papaanui Dry Preserved_Specimen Flowers greenish. Shrub, about 4 ft. tall Herbst, D.R. 857 Maui BISH 1968-01-05
19 Ocimum gratissimum Hahaione Valley, mouth Dry ground Preserved_Specimen Shrub up to 2 m tall; strongly aromatic corolla white F.R. Fosberg 13547 Oahu BISH 1937-01-16
20 Ocimum gratissimum Queen's Beach Rocky, sandy coastal plain Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5339 Oahu BISH 1984-02-19
21 Ocimum gratissimum Valley north of Kuapa Lake Preserved_Specimen Gillespie, J.W. 1102 Oahu BISH 1927-07-08
22 Ocimum gratissimum Koko Head dry grassland areas Preserved_Specimen Cowan, R.S. 860 Oahu BISH 1948-03-07
23 Ocimum gratissimum Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range In Leucaena-Prosopis forest on shallow soil limestone. Under Prosopis. With Asystasia gangetica, Leucaena leucocephala, Megathyrsus maximus, and Sida falax. Preserved_Specimen BISH staff 62 Oahu BISH 2021-05-11
24 Ocimum gratissimum Farmer's Market, Koloa Park. Sold as herb by local grower Preserved_Specimen Holy Basil, or, Sacred basil. Stems mostly dark violet with whitish or purplish hairs white springing from violet base; blade above soemwhat glossy, green to pruplish with veins purple, below paler, green with pale violet veins. INflorescence: rachis vilolet with with whitish or violet hairs; sepals bronzy-violet, glossy, with pale violet to whitish hairs; petals and stamens bright rose-violet, corolla whitish in throat; nutlets white. Leaves have o apparent odor. Hume, L. 382 Kauai BISH 1989-05-08
25 Ocimum gratissimum Barking Sands. Pacific Missile Range Facility. U.S.Navy. Just west of base housing in Prosopis thicket Preserved_Specimen Herbs of two-three ft. Calyx purple tinged; corolla pale green; stamens four, filaments white. Locally common. Flynn, T.W. 2705 Kauai BISH 1988-01-18
26 Ocimum gratissimum Ulaino in hala forest Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 256 Maui BISH 1971-08-06
27 Ocimum gratissimum Kapaa, Apopo Road, outside fence and along roadside Preserved_Specimen 1-2 feet tall upright subshrub. leaves sweet smelling. flower purple in upright spike Naturalizing patch of plants. Tangalin, N. 1354 Kauai BISH 2007-05-31
28 Ocimum gratissimum Koko Head . Rog Preserved_Specimen Flower: none, Fruits: none. Judd Jr., A.F. 37 Oahu BISH 1925-11-25
29 Ocimum gratissimum Dry algaroba forest, Koko Crater Preserved_Specimen Shrub, height 30-40 cm. Flower and fruit present. Christophersen, E. 1296 Oahu BISH 1930-04-06
30 Ocimum gratissimum cultivated by M.Emrick, Honua Farm, Kikala Rd., Kalaheo Preserved_Specimen Old Stem plae brown flecked pruple: new grwoth with stem dark purple, hairs brownish to white. Leaf: peitole dull purple; blade above dull green with purplish cast, veins whitish, hairs pale purple. Inforescence: all parts but corolla dard green washed purple; flowers 5 x 2 mm; corolla exterior lgiht purple, interior darker, including filaments; antehrs oragnebrown. Plant of very slight fragrance. Hume, L. 387 Kauai BISH 1989-07-27
31 Ocimum gratissimum Kiekie, 0.5 mi NE, patch by roadside Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22792 Niihau BISH 1947-08-14
32 Ocimum gratissimum Kaluakoi District, Kamakaipo Preserved_Specimen Subshrub to 4 ft. tall growing in a Prosopis thicket. Herbst, D.R. 5730 Molokai BISH 1976-03-09
33 Ocimum gratissimum growing in shade of tall Leucaena leucocephala just east of Farrington Hwy. Keaau, Waianae District Preserved_Specimen Corolla greenish. Stamens 5-6 mm, much exerted. Shrubs to 1 m. ht. Nagata, K.M. 2037 Oahu BISH 1980-02-17
34 Ocimum gratissimum Roadside, Wireless Station, Maunalua, Koko head Preserved_Specimen 5 ft. shrub, fl. yellowish. St.John, H. 10397 Oahu BISH 1930-02-28
35 Ocimum gratissimum Kaupo, near sea level Preserved_Specimen Aromatic Shrub. Shinbara, B. Maui BISH 1963-06-17
36 Ocimum gratissimum Kaluakoi District, Lono Harbor Preserved_Specimen Subshrub to 4 ft. tall growing in a Prosopis thicket. Herbst, D.R. 5730 Molokai BISH 1976-03-09
37 Ocimum gratissimum collegected along coastal and inland trail at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10324 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-08
38 Ocimum gratissimum Kona, kiilae Bay, near grove of ten coconuts Preserved_Specimen Aromatic mint. Bryan Jr., E.H. Hawaii BISH 1957-01-23
39 Ocimum gratissimum Koko Head region Preserved_Specimen Swezey, O.H. 254 Hawaii BISH 1934-02-17
40 Ocimum gratissimum Waianae Preserved_Specimen Krauss, N.L.H. 899 Oahu BISH 1963-04-23
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