Perilla
(said to be the Indian name). SYN. Dentidia. ORD. Labiatae. A genus consisting of only two or three species of half-hardy, annual herbs, natives of the mountains of India and China. Flowers small, podicellate; calyx campanulate, five-fid, nodding after florescence, and bilabiate; corolla tube included, limb shortly five-fid; whorls two-flowered, secund, disposed in axillary or paniculate racemes; bracts short, or rarely exceeding the calyx. Leaves usually violet or greenish. The plants thrive in any light, loamy soil, and may be increased by seeds. P. ocimoides crispa is sometimes employed in summer bedding. It requires, practically, little attention beyond pinching out the points occasionally, because of its very dark and distinct foliage. Seeds, should be sown in pans or boxes, about the middle of March, and placed in a gentle heat. After being gradually hardened off, the seedlings may be placed in the open border about the end of May. A few well-grown examples of this plant will be found very useful in sub-tropical gardening. P. heteromorpha (variable-formed). A synonym of P. ocimoides. P. nankinensis (Nankin). A synonym of P. ocimoides crispa. P. ocimoides (Ocimum-like). A. white, numerous; corolla minute; racemes shorter than the leaves. July and August. l. broadly ovate, 2in. to 4in. long, acuminate, cuneate at base or narrowed into the rather long petioles, sub-rugose, deeply crenate-serrate. Stem erect, 1ft. to 3ft. high, thick, flrm, obtusely tetragonal, sulcate. India, China, &c., 1770. SYN. P. heteromorpha. (B. M. 2395.) P. o. crispa (curled).* A garden form, having dark bronzy-purple leaves, with the margins crisped and fimbriated. China. SYN. P. nankinensis.