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Ocimum americanum

Authority L. Family Magnoliopsida:Asteridae:Lamiales:Labiatae Synonyms Common names Editor Ecocrop code 2363

Notes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION An erect, much branched, aromatic herb reaching a height of 30-100 cm. USES Young leaves can be eaten raw as a vegetable side-dish or used as flavouring. The nutlets swell in water into a gelatinous mass often used in sweet cooling drinks. It has several medicinal properties. An essential oil can be extracted and used in soap and cosmetics. The plant contains citral, camphor, and methyl-cinnamate. GROWING PERIOD Annual. Usually germinating 1-2 weeks after sowing, flowering after 8-12 weeks and maturing seeds after 14-20 weeks. Harvest may start 2-3 months after sowing. COMMON NAMES Hoary basil, American basil, Camphor basil, Ocimum Camphor, Kemangi, Serawung, Selasih putih, Selaseh, Ruku-ruku, Maenglak. FURTHER INF Scientific synonym: O. canum, O. africanum, O. brachiatum. Hoary basil occurs wild and cultivated throughout tropical Africa and tropical Asia. It is often found growing on roadsides, in fields, in teak forests, and in open waste places. It prefers sunny, wind-sheltered spots. It occurs at elevations between sea level and 500 m or even up to 2000 m. An average yield is 2-3 t/ha of dried leaves annually, giving 25-40 kg solid camphor. However, higher yields are possible through manuring. Mentioned as a useful agroforestry species.
Sources
SOURCES (O. americanum L.) Nair P 1980 pp 313-314 [TEXT, LIG, FER] Roecklein J 1987 pp 283 [USE] Purseglove J 1974 pp 636 [USE] Duke J 1975 pp 22 [PH, RAIN, TEMP] Siemonsma J 1993 pp 218-220 [USE, LIG DRA, TEXT, LIMIT]