Basil (Ocimum L.) Genus in Türkiye from Various Aspect

Abstract

A new comprehensive book is being prepared under the title of'Illustrated Flora of Turkey'. This article was prepared to introducethe Ocimum L. genus in Türkiye for the book. Studies were carriedout in the field and laboratory in 2023-2024. Aim of the study was toreveal the systematic, morphological and some ecologicalcharacteristics of Ocimum genotypes in Türkiye. The names of theoriginal genotypes identified and the hybrid numbers are as follows:Bush basil: 4, Top basil: 3, Yediveren basil: 3, Winter basil: 1, Arapgirbasil: 2, Purple basil: 2, Variegated purple basil: 3, Başak basil: 1,Hairy basil: 2 and Iridescent basil 1. Exotics: 4. The total number ofsamples examined is about 50. The distribution of samples bygenotypes is as follows:Number of examined specimens of theFesleğen (Sweet basil) group: Çalı fesleğen(Bush Basil): 13, Topfesleğen (Top basil): 2, Yediveren Fesleğen (Yediveren basil): 7, Kışfesleğeni (Winter basil): 2. Total 24. Number of specimen of the Morreyhan (Purple basil) group: Arapgir mor reyhanı (Arapgir purplebasil): 3, Mor reyhan (Purple basil): 2, Alacalı morreyhan(Variegated purple basil): 3, Başak reyhan (Başak basil): 4,Tüylü reyhan (Hairy basil): 6, Yanardöner reyhan (Iridescent basil):1. Total 19. Number of specimen of the exotics: Total 5. The essentialoil of the bush basil is black and its oily water is blackish, the oil of theYediveren basil is light yellow and its oily water is off-whi. Names ofthese samples could not be scientifically determined. O. basilicumspecies is registered in Türkiye. The genotype that best fits definitionof this species is Çalı(Bush) basil. It does not include Top basil,Yediveren basil and Winter basil and the Purple basil group. Thepurple basil group is another species in our opinion. The genotypesshould also belong to the Purple basil species. Top basil, Yediverenbasil and Winter basil should also be subspecies of O. basilicum. Useof these genotypes for economic purposes is also recommended. Sincesystematics of Ocimum L. genus has not been studied, number ofspecies and total genotypes in Türkiye is unknown. The genotypeshave no natural forms in the country. Its purple genotypes are called‘Reyhan’, green ones are called ‘Fesleğen’.