Perilla frutescens

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton from the Japanese Seikei Zusetsu agricultural encyclopedia
Perilla is an annual plant growing 60–90 centimetres (24–35 in) tall, with hairy square stalks.The leaves are opposite, 7–12 centimetres (2.8–4.7 in) long and 5–8 centimetres (2.0–3.1 in) wide, with a broad oval shape, pointy ends, serrated(saw-toothed) margins, and long leafstalks. The leaves are green with occasional touches of purple on the underside.The flowers bloom on racemes at the end of branches and the main stalk in late summer. The calyx, 3–4 millimetres (0.12–0.16 in) long, consist of upper three sepals and the hairy lower two. The corolla is 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in) long with its lower lip longer than the upper. Two of the four stamens are long.The fruit is a schizocarp, 2 millimetres (0.079 in) in diameter, and with reticulate pattern on the outside. Perilla seeds can be soft or hard, being white, grey, brown, and dark brown in colour and globular in shape. 1000 seeds weigh about 4 grams (0.14 oz). Perilla seeds contain about 38-45% lipid.

 

flowers




 

raceme




 

leaves




 

ripe plants (autumn)




 

seeds

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Perilla Frutescens

Perilla frutescens

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