Native or Wild Basil

Ocimum americanum

Native Basil is a small woody herb with small, pale green pointed leaves which grow to 3-5cm long. When crushed it exudes a strong, unusual and pleasant 'basil like' aroma and has a mildly spiced basil flavour.I find the leaves have a strongly aromatic, almost perfumed scent - much sweeter than other basil varieties. 

Aniseed Basil is a very similar shrub but often has darker green and slightly larger leaves. The big difference is a pungent aniseed / basil cross flavour and aroma.