66 



CULINARY HERBS 



The plant's introduction into England was about 

 1548, or perhaps a little earlier, but probably not 

 prior to 1538, because Turner does not 

 mention it in his ''Libellus," published 

 in that year. It seems to have grown 

 rapidly in popularity, for in 1586 Lyte 

 speaks of it as if well known. In 

 America it has been cultivated 

 somewhat for about a century 

 partly because of its fragrant 

 leaves which are employed 

 in bouquets, but mainly for 

 flavoring culinary concoc- 

 tions. In Australia it is 

 also more or less grown, 

 and in countries where 

 French commerce or other 

 interests have penetrated 

 it is well known. 



There are several related 

 species which, in America 

 less than in Europe or the 

 East, have attracted atten- 

 tion. The most important of 

 these is dwarf or bush basil 

 (O. minimum, Linn.), a 

 small Chilian species also 

 reported from Cochin 

 China. It was introduced 

 into cultivation in Europe in 1573. On account 

 of its compact form it is popular in gardens as an 

 edging as well as a culinary herb, for more than a 



Sweet Basil 



