Editing Basil (section)

== Taxonomy ==
{{Further|List of basil cultivars}}
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2021}}

The exact taxonomy of basil is uncertain due to the immense number of cultivars, its ready [[Polymorphism (biology)|polymorphy]], and frequent [[cross-pollination]] (resulting in new hybrids) with other members of the genus ''Ocimum'' and within the species. ''Ocimum basilicum'' has at least 60 varieties, which further complicates taxonomy.<ref name="simon" />

=== Cultivars ===
[[File:Prem Tinsulanonda International School garden.jpg|thumb|Thai basil growing at a school in Thailand]]
Most basils are cultivars of sweet basil. Most basil varieties have green leaves, but a few are purple, such as, 'Purple Delight'.
* [[Anise basil]], [[Licorice basil]], or [[Persian basil]] (''O. basilicum'' 'Liquorice')
* [[Cinnamon basil]] (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Cinnamon')
* [[Dark opal basil]] (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Dark Opal')
* [[Genovese basil]] or Sweet Basil (''Ocimum basilicum'')
* [[Greek basil]] (''Ocimum basilicum var. minimum'')
* [[Spicy globe basil|Globe basil]], dwarf basil, French basil (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Minimum')<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ocimum minimum information from NPGS/GRIN |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?70463 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161135/http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?70463 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |website=ars-grin.gov}}</ref>
* [[Lettuce leaf basil]] (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Crispum')
* [[Naples|Napolitano]] basil, also known as Napoletano basil, Neapolitan basil, [[Mammoth basil]], Bolloso Napoletano basil, Napolitano Mammoth-Leafed basil, or Italian Large-Leaf basil (''Ocimum basilicum'')
* Purple basil (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Purpurescens')
* [[Red rubin basil|Rubin basil]] (''Ocimum basilicum'' 'Rubin')
* [[Thai basil]] (''Ocimum basilicum thyrsifolium'')

=== Hybrids ===
* [[African blue basil]] (''Ocimum basilicum × O. kilimandscharicum'')
* [[Lemon basil]] (''Ocimum basilicum × O. americanum'')<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Ocimum africanum'' Lour. taxonomy detail from NPGS/GRIN |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=463843 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913143509/https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=463843 |archive-date=13 September 2016 |website=ars-grin.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=''Ocimum'' × ''africanum'' Lour. in 'The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species' |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-136798 |access-date=3 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218164414/http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-136798 |archive-date=18 February 2022}}</ref>
* Spice basil (''Ocimum basilicum × O. americanum''), which is sometimes sold as holy basil

=== Etymology ===
The name "basil" comes from the [[Latin]] {{lang|la|basilius}}, and the [[Greek language|Greek]] {{lang|el|βασιλικόν φυτόν}} ({{Transliteration|el|basilikón phytón}}), meaning "royal/kingly plant", possibly because the plant was believed to have been used in production of royal perfumes.<ref name="eo">{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Basil |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Basil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025133900/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=basil |archive-date=25 October 2012 |publisher=Etymology Online, Douglas Harper}}</ref> Basil is likewise sometimes referred to in [[French language|French]] as {{lang|fr|"l'herbe royale"}} ('the royal herb').<ref name="CarrollVona2006">{{Cite book |last1=Anstice Carroll |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RNZGgvsspMUC&pg=PA16 |title=The Dictionary of Wholesome Foods: A Passionate A-to-Z Guide to the Earth's Healthy Offerings, with More Than 140 Delicious, Nutritious Recipes |last2=Embree De Persiis Vona |last3=Gianna De Persiis Vona |date=2006 |publisher=Da Capo Press |isbn=978-1-56924-395-4 |pages=16– |quote=The name "basil" comes from the Greek word for "king" – so greatly did the Greeks esteem this king of herbs. Herbe royale, the French respectfully call it. In Italy basil serves the goddess Love; a sprig of it worn by a suitor bespeaks his loving ... |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012212928/http://books.google.com/books?id=RNZGgvsspMUC&pg=PA16 |archive-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Latin name has been confused with [[basilisk]], as it was supposed to be an [[antidote]] to the basilisk's venom.<ref name="eo" />