Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. Ocimum basilicum is an erect, almost glabrous herb, which grows to between 30 and 90 cm high. The leaves are ovate, lanceolate, cucuminate, toothed or entire, glabrous on both surfaces and glandular. Its flowers are small and white, and grow from a central inflorescence that emerges from the central stem atop the plant. The flowers are white or pale purple in color.