This aromatic annual to short lived perennial has an upright bushy growth habit with pubescent squarish branching stems. It has dark green elliptical toothed leaves and the white tube-shaped flowers appear in a spike during late summer.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12 

Ocimum basilicum is naturally found in tropical Asia growing in well-drained rich moist soils and has naturalised in parts of southern Queensland in Australia.

Basil is a popular culinary herb that is grown for its aromatic leaves and is planted in herb or vegetable gardens and in pots or planter boxes. It establishes from seed in one season and the leaves may be used fresh or stored dry and are used for medicinal purposes. ID 1538

Note:
 It has been used medicinally for the relief of nausea, gas pains and dysentery if taken as a tea. 

Ocimum (ō-KI-mum) basilicum (ba-SI-li-kum)

Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee) 
(Labiatae)
Mint Family