BASIL, Mrihani

(55-70 days) Ocimum basilicum  

We obtained this seed from Frank Morton who had gotten it from Richo Cech. Richo saw the basil growing on Pemba Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, off the coast of Tanzania, in 1990. The farmer who was growing the crop asked Richo to return the next day to receive a gift of seeds. When he did so, she handed him a triangular packet of seed, folded from newspaper. She called it "Mrihani." It is unique in its wavy toothing along the leaf margins and olive green with purple highlights on the leaves and stems.  Flowers are purple. Very beautiful and distinctly aromatic. 

Packet (1/2 g ≈ 400 seeds)