Spices & Herbs Codexery

Basil

A tender culinary herb of the mint family, used worldwide.

Belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae), the culinary herb known as great basil or Ocimum basilicum is a tender plant.[1]

Quick Facts

Genus
Ocimum
Species
basilicum

Facts from the source article.

Key facts and history

The name "basil" comes from the Greek "basilikón phytón," meaning "royal/kingly plant".[2] The exact taxonomy of basil is uncertain due to many cultivars, polymorphy, and frequent cross-pollination.[3] Most basils are cultivars of sweet basil.[4] The optimal germination temperature for basil seeds ranges between 34.5–39.0°C.[5]

Basil suffers from several plant pathogens including Fusarium wilt, Pythium damping off, and downy mildew caused by Peronospora belbahrii.[6] Central Africa through to Southeast Asia's tropical regions are the native home of basil.[1] Taxonomy is complicated by the existence of no fewer than 60 varieties within Ocimum basilicum.[3] Full sun and hot, dry conditions are preferred by basil, as it does not tolerate cold.[7]

When propagated from cuttings rather than seeds, basil plants can be harvested sooner and produce a greater yield.[8]

What the cited sources add

A 2020 Maryland field trial found that resistant cultivars 'Amazel' and 'Prospera' showed no downy mildew symptoms, while susceptible 'Aroma' scored 5–10 on a disease scale.[9] The Maryland blog notes that basil downy mildew arrived in the U.S. in 2007 and has been devastating Italian sweet basil crops.[9] A Greek Orthodox blessing ceremony uses a bunch of basil dipped in water to sprinkle the congregation.[10] The same account states basil is linked to the belief that the herb was found growing on the original cross of Christ.[10]

A 2022 article describes Babri Beol, a summer drink from the Jammu and Kashmir region of India, which is made with basil seeds, milk, and coconut.[11]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Basil" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Simon, "Basil", Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Department of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 23 February 1998; Simon, "Basil", Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Department of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 23 February 1998 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Basil" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Basil", Etymology Online, Douglas Harper, 2018; Anstice Carroll, "The Dictionary of Wholesome Foods: A Passionate A-to-Z Guide to the Earth's Healthy Offerings, with More Than 140 Delicious, Nutritious Recipes", Da Capo Press, 2006, p. 16–; "Basil", Etymology Online, Douglas Harper, 2018 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Basil" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Simon, "Basil", Center for New Crops & Plant Products, Department of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 23 February 1998 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Basil" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Ocimum minimum information from NPGS/GRIN", ars-grin.gov (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Basil" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Lange, "Postharvest Shelf Life of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)", HortScience, 1994-02-01, p. 102–103; Noorhosseini, "Improving Seed Germination and Early Growth of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum) and Basil (Ocimum basilicum) with Hydro-priming", Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 2017-08-01, p. 323–334 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Basil" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Garibaldi, "First Report of Downy Mildew on Basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) in Italy", Plant Disease, March 2004, p. 312; Roberts, "First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by a Peronospora sp. on Basil in Florida and the United States", Plant Disease, February 2009, p. 199; Wick, "First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by a Peronospora Species on Sweet Basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) in Massachusetts", Plant Disease, March 2009, p. 318; "Maryland Grows Blog", 21 February 2020 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Wikipedia, "Basil" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Larsen, "Response of Basil Growth and Morphology to Light Intensity and Spectrum in a Vertical Farm", Frontiers in Plant Science, 2020-12-04 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  8. Wikipedia, "Basil" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Haijie, "Are cuttings a viable alternative to seeds for sweet basil production?", Acta Horticulturae, 2018-09-01, p. 303–306; Bai, "Role of ascorbic acid in enhancing hypoxia tolerance in roots of sensitive and tolerant apple rootstocks", Scientia Horticulturae, 2013-12-01, p. 372–379 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  9. "Maryland Grows Blog", 21 February 2020. facts only, no text reused. marylandgrows.umd.edu
  10. "Blessing of the Waters known as Agiasmos conducted by a Greek Orthodox priest". facts only, no text reused. completely-crete.com
  11. "Traditional Summer Drinks of India: Beat the Heat with Refreshing Recipes", The Better India, 2022-03-09. facts only, no text reused. thebetterindia.com

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Basil (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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