Basilicum polystachyon (L.) Moench

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Mana Pools, by main road to camp

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mana Pools

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Synonyms:	Lumnitzera polystachya Spreng. Moschosma polystachyon (L.) Benth. Ocimum polystachyon L.
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Description:	Aromatic annual herb up to c. 1 m tall. Stems erect, strongly 4-angled, branching above, more or less hairless or with short appressed hairs on the inflorescence axis. Leaves opposite, ovate, up to 5 × 2(3) cm, glandular-punctate, usually hairless or rarely with scattered appressed hairs; margin serrate; petiole 10-35 mm long. Inflorescences mainly axillary with many, usually 6-flowered verticils 3-5 mm apart; flowers often concentrated on one side of the inflorescence. Calyx 1-1.5 mm long with scattered sessile glands and short hairs. Corolla white, blue or purple, 2-3 mm long; tube straight; lips with scattered glands.
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Derivation of specific name:	polystachyon: with many spikes.
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Worldwide distribution:	Widespread throughout the Old World tropics.
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Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 77. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 54. Paton, A.J. et al. (2009). Lamiaceae Flora of Tropical East Africa Pages 194 - 196. (Includes a picture). Paton, A.J. et al. (2013). Lamiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(8) Pages 158 - 159. (Includes a picture). Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 68.

Other sources of information about Basilicum polystachyon:

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Flora of Malawi: Basilicum polystachyon
Flora of Mozambique: Basilicum polystachyon
Flora of Zambia: Basilicum polystachyon
Flora of Zimbabwe: Basilicum polystachyon

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Basilicum polystachyon
African Plant Database: Basilicum polystachyon
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Basilicum polystachyon
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Basilicum polystachyon
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Basilicum polystachyon
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Basilicum polystachyon
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Basilicum polystachyon
JSTOR Plant Science: Basilicum polystachyon
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Basilicum polystachyon
Plants of the World Online: Basilicum polystachyon
Tropicos: Basilicum polystachyon
Wikipedia: Basilicum polystachyon