Basil Camphor, Kilimanjaro Basil, Ocimum kilimandscharicum

For a basil this is quite a huge plant, camphor basil grows to 2 m high and about 1.5 m across. It survives and even thrives in our rock hard clay soil even through the endless rain periods with sodden soil. Apparently, it prefers rich, well drained soil in full sun, but the picture shows ours in hard waterlogged clay. I doubt that camphor basil would survive frosts.

The bees love this basil.

I use this basil as a flavouring in our bush kitchen and unlike other basil it can be cooked without losing the aroma.

It is used against mosquitoes, wardrobe moths, malaria, stomach aches and fever. The plant is a commercial source of camphor.

Note: this is NOT the African blue basil I sometimes offer this too! Plant is supplied in a forestry tube.