Ocimum basilicum – Dark Opal (Sweet Basil)

The following description concerns Ocimum basilicum generally. Ocimum basilicum has aromatic leaves in opposite pairs on branching, square stems. Leaf colour varies from green to purple among cultivars. Small, lipped flowers occur in whorls along the flowering shoots. This mint-family species prefers sun and moist, well-drained soil; pinching shoot tips encourages branching.