Note from the Author: I’m surprised I’ve not done a file for this one.
Common Name: Perilla
Other Common Names: Beefsteak Plant, Shiso, Japanese Basil.
Botanical Family: Lamiaeae (The Mint Family)
Botanical Latin Name: Perilla frutescens
Description & Habitat: Perilla is a non-native annual in the Mint family that is considered an invasive species in North Carolina. Perilla is native to Asia and is often called Japanese Basil, although this particular common name more references how it is used and not the scent and flavor of the plant’s foliage. Typically you will find two varieties of this plant in common cultivation, a purple-leaf type which can have a reddish color likened to beefsteak. The other variety is the green-leaf type which physically looks like the purple one but is plain green. They taste and smell the same give or take but the big difference is that the flowers are more visible and thus showier on the purple-leaf variety. In general flowers should be pinched regardless of foliage type to prevent this plant from escaping cultivation. A cultivated specimen of this plant can grow up to three feet tall in a growing season and require two or more repottings so its roots can keep expanding. In general Perilla’s leaves are roughly heart shaped and tend to have very visible serrations on the leaf margins. Some leaves at the tip may have a bit of a tail. The foliage is aromatic to the touch and there are no other herbs that smell like Perilla though sometimes stinging nettle can appear somewhat similar. With moderate care Perilla can become pretty bushy and may make for a good indoor plant as only winter’s cold stops it’s growth.
Special Toxicity Note: Perilla is toxic to Dogs, Cats, Horses and Cattle.
When & What to Harvest: The leaves are what you are after.
Related Plants: ‘Tricolor’ (P. f. ‘Tricolor) a barely scented ornamental variety.
Recipe:
While I don’t have a formal recipe for Perilla leaves here’s a good one for pickling them.
https://mykoreankitchen.com/korean-pickled-perilla-leaves-kkaennip-jangajji/
Additional Information: (If applicable)
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/perilla-frutescens/
Where to get Seed or Bare Root Plants:
With all that garden goodness covered this is the part of the blog where I have to advertise for the Fayetteville City Market. Now I know you readers probably don’t much like advertisements, but my booth at the City Market helps to cover the costs of running the test garden and literally maintains the Research & Development budget that is used to bring you the information that has made up the backbone of this blog. In addition to being able to process card payments we now take CashApp payments so your payment options for my product have tripled. With that said; if you want to get some GMO-free, Organic fruit, herbs, flowers and perennials, come on down to the Fayetteville City Market on 325 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Even in bad weather the market goes on though you might have to look for me under the ‘arches’ of the Transportation Museum’s front entryway.
Fresh Foods
Peppers, Hybrid Lemon Drop
Figs, Magnolia
Figs, Kadota
Herbs
Basil, Sweet Genovese
Oregano
Prickly Pear, Spineless
Sage, Common
Summer Plants
Calibrachoa, Caliburst
Dahlia, Figaro Mix
Madagascar Periwinkle, Tattoo Blueberry
Fall Plants
Collards
Garden Supply
Live Mushroom Compost, 1 Gallon
Live Mushroom Compost, 3 Gallon
Plants Coming Soon:
-Fall Food Plants-
How to stay in Contact with Us!
All you need to keep up with all our activities is to have a Nextdoor account and to look for the ‘Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’ group and ask to join! You don’t have to live in Fayetteville to join us! Feel free to ask all your garden questions of our knowledgeable membership and post your cool garden pictures.
Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville
Also please take a gander at the YouTube version of this blog:
The Videos: Look Here
>Newest videos (1): Purple Tomatillo
With all of the updates, blog posts, community announcements and the main topic handled remember that Sustainable Neighbors of Fayetteville’s meetings are still going on! Our next (unofficial) meeting is August 29th at the Fayetteville City Market at 325 Franklin Street between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, or at North South Brewing on the same day between 1:00 and 5:00pm.
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