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Bruso, George H.
Clinopodium vulgare
Clinopodium vulgare L.
Wild Basil
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Synonym(s): Calamintha vulgaris, Clinopodium vulgare var. neogaea, Satureja vulgaris, Satureja vulgaris var. diminuta, Satureja vulgaris var. neogaea
USDA Symbol: CLVU
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Rose-purple flowers, mingled with hairy bracts that give them a woolly appearance, are in a dense, rounded cluster at the top of the square, hairy stem and in smaller clusters in the upper leaf axils.
Flowers: about 1/2" (1.3 cm) long; 2-lipped.
This plant is native in the northern part of its range but was probably introduced from Europe, where it is widespread, in the southern part. The dried leaves can be used as a seasoning although they are milder than those of the commercial basils (Oncimum spp.), other members of the mint family.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AR , AZ , CO , CT , DC , DE , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , NC , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WVCanada: NB , NL , NS
Native Distribution: Manitoba to Nova Scotia; south to upland North Carolina; west to Tennessee and Kansas; north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Roadsides, pastures, thickets.
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Clinopodium vulgare in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Clinopodium vulgare in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Clinopodium vulgare
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-06Research By: TWC Staff