Perilla L.

Harley, R.M. et al. (2004). Labiatae, in The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants (K. Kubitzki, ed. in chief) VI: 167-275. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

Morphology General Habit

Robust annual herbs, strongly aromatic

Morphology Leaves

Leaves toothed, long-petiolate, in cultivated forms often deep purple-tinged or laciniate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence raceme-like, lax or congested, ± secund, of 2(-4)-flowered verticillasters

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts small, often broadly ovate-acuminate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers small, distinctly pedicellate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx campanulate, lobes triangular, posterior lip shorter with median lobe shortest, tube densely hairy outside, annulate within throat, calyx strongly accrescent in fruit, with base of tube strongly distended and gibbous, calyx-lobes becoming slightly u

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla small, white to purplish, weakly 2-lipped, lobes subequal, corolla-tube very short, included in calyx, annulate at insertion of stamens

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, subequal, divergent, shorter than or equalling corolla, thecae separate, parallel, becoming slightly divergent, connective distinct

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style short

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets 4, subglobose, glabrous, distinctly reticulate

Note

2n = 20, 40.  One variable species: P. frutescens (L.) Britton

Distribution

Pobably native in the Himalayan foothills, from Pakistan eastwards, but cultivated and occurring as a casual in Southeastern Asia to China and Japan.

Ecology

In shady areas