Ocimum angustifolium Benth.

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Ocimum angustifolium

Photo: Bart Wursten
Cleveland Dam

Ocimum angustifolium

Photo: Bart Wursten
Cleveland Dam

Ocimum angustifolium

Photo: Bart Wursten
Domboshawa

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Becium angustifolium (Benth.) N.E. Br.
Ocimum filiforme Gürke
Ocimum poggeanum Briq.
Ocimum randii S. Moore
Ocimum scoparium Gürke
Common names:
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Much-branched shrubby, aromatic perennial herb. The leaves are linear to linear-lanceolate, densely dotted with glands; margins often revolute. Inflorescences terminal, up to 12 cm with regularly spaced clusters (verticils) of flowers.
Type location:
South Africa
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: angustifolium: narrow-leaved
Habitat: In woodland, grassland and scrub, often on sandy soils.
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:Sep - Oct
Worldwide distribution: Angola, DR Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
FTEA divisions:
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 5. As Becium angustifolium

Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2008). Plants of Angola Strelitzia 22 SANBI, Pretoria Page 107.

Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 94. as Becium angustifolium (Includes a picture).

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 56.

Paton, A.J. et al. (2013). Lamiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(8) Pages 122 - 123.

Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 77. as Becium angustifolium


Other sources of information about Ocimum angustifolium:

Our websites:

Flora of Angola: Ocimum angustifolium
Flora of Botswana: Ocimum angustifolium
Flora of the DRC: Ocimum angustifolium
Flora of Malawi: Ocimum angustifolium
Flora of Mozambique: Ocimum angustifolium
Flora of Tanzania: Ocimum angustifolium
Flora of Zambia: Ocimum angustifolium
Flora of Zimbabwe: Ocimum angustifolium

External websites:

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


Copyright: The Kenya flora team, 2026

The Kenya flora team (2026). Flora of Kenya: Species information: Ocimum angustifolium.
https://www.kenyaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=150320, retrieved 29 September 2026

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