Wild Basil

(Clinopodium vulgare)

Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare)

Angela Antonioli Angela Antonioli

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: Angela Antonioli Angela Antonioli

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Estimated Native Range

Summary

Clinopodium vulgare, commonly known as Wild Basil, is a perennial herb native to a variety of habitats including grasslands, open woodlands, and forest edges across Europe and parts of Asia and Africa. It typically grows to a height of 15-50 cm (6-20 inches) and spreads through its rhizomatous root system. The plant has square, upright, hairy stems and opposite pairs of aromatic leaves. The inflorescence is a terminal spike with several loose whorls of clusters of flowers growing in the axils of the leaves. Each flower has a short stalk, five sepals about 10 mm (0.39 in) long, and five petals 12 to 15 mm (0.47 to 0.59 in) in length, which are fused into a tube. The flowers are pink, violet, or purple and have two lips, with four stamens, a long style, and fused carpels, blooming from June to September and are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Wild Basil is valued for its aromatic leaves, which are used in culinary dishes and herbal teas. It is also appreciated for its ornamental flowers, which add a splash of color to herb gardens, borders, and naturalized areas. Wild Basil thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils. It requires moderate watering and can tolerate slow or medium drainage. While it is not overly demanding in terms of care, it is important to monitor its spread as it can become invasive in some regions. In areas where it is not native, gardeners should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.5-2 feet
Width: 0.125-0.5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Purple
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance

Natural Habitat

Native to grasslands, open woodlands, and forest edges across Europe, parts of Asia, and Africa

Other Names

Common Names: Cushion Calamint, Dogmint, Kransbørste, Borstige Bergminze, Gewöhnlicher Wirbeldost, Wirbeldost, Clinopode, Sarriette Vulgaire, Borstelkrans, Bergmynta

Scientific Names: , Clinopodium vulgare, Satureja vulgaris, Melissa vulgaris, Calamintha clinopodium, Calamintha vulgaris, Acinos vulgaris, Melissa clinopodium, Satureja vulgare, Clinopodium vulgare f. glabratum

GBIF Accepted Name: Clinopodium vulgare L.