Ocimum basilicum is an annual herb, cultivated as a perennial in tropical climates, of low growth (between 30 and 130 cm), with opposite leaves of a lustrous green, oval or ovate, toothed and silky texture, measuring 3 to 11 cm long by 1 to 6 cm wide. It emits terminal flower spikes, with white or purplish tubular flowers which, unlike those of the rest of the family, have the four stamens and the pistil resting on the lower lip of the corolla. After entomophilous pollination, the corolla detaches and four rounded nucellulae develop inside the bilabiate calyx.