Wilkie Collins

Basil Illustrated Wilkie Collins

"Basil (/?bæz?l/, [1] also US: /?be?z?l/;[2] Ocimum basilicum), also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia.[3] It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide. Depending on the species and cultivar, the leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell."