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Useful Tropical Plants

Ocimum kilimandscharicum

Gürke

Lamiaceae

+ Synonyms

Ocimum johnstonii Baker

Ocimum tortuosum Baker

Common Name: Camphor Basil

No Image.

General Information

Camphor basil is a perennial plant growing 1 - 2 metres tall. The plant is often grown as an annual, especially in cooler climates.
The leaves are used as a flavouring in foods, whilst the plant also has medicinal properties, yields an essential oil, and is used as an insect repellent.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Eastern tropical Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height1.50 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated

Cultivation Details


Prefers a rich, light, well-drained to dry soil and a position in full sun[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].

Edible Uses

The leaves have a distinctive camphor-like fragrance. They are used as a flavouring for rice, vegetables etc, and are also brewed as a tea[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

Medicinal

The plant is used to lower fevers[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].

Other Uses

The plant is a commercial source of camphor[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].

The plant is grown as a mosquito repellent[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].

Propagation

Seed - sow in a nursery seedbed and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually free and quick, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-12. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ocimum+kilimandscharicum>

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