Basil, Tree (Ocimum suave), packet of 30 seeds, organic
$3.95
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Zones 10 and up, otherwise grown as an annual or potted up and brought in for the winter. These do overwinter indoors easily.
(Mtule Basil, African Tree Basil) Woody perennial native to Africa. We now have 3-year old specimens that have woody trunks and have climbed to 12 feet tall. This plant originally found on the Zanzibar archipelago and brought to the US and put under organic cultivation in the year 1998. This is a handsome, upright African bush basil that becomes woody with age. Within its native range, the arching, reddish seedheads are a common sight throughout the wildlands. The plant is similar to but taller than Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum) and is very high in Eugenol. Eugenol is oil of clove, and interestingly the local use of tree basil follows the same use that is commonly employed for oil of clove–as an antiseptic and pain reliever for dental woes. Among other uses, local people give the fresh leaves to children to allay pain of teething. Plant prefers full sun and is not picky about soil, growing well in regular garden soil or roadside soils. Sow in spring. Germination is rapid.
30 Seeds/pkt, Certified Organically Grown
In stock
Phyllis Clay (verified owner) –
I love your site because you share so much detail about the origin and cultivation of the seeds that you sell. I have grown African Nunum for two years and am trying Mtule for the first time. African Nunum is said to have been brought to US by someone from Ghana. Mtule was originally found on the Zanzibar archipelago. I’ve researched that they are both of the species Ocimum gratissimum. It will be interesting to witness how they grow I. My yard this summer!
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