Detailed Explanation of the Morphological Characteristics and Suitable Growing Environment of the Medicinal Herb Perilla

[Morphological Characteristics]Perilla (Perilla frutescens)is an annual herb, with a plant height of 60-150 cm, and has a distinctive aroma. The stem is upright, four-angled, purple or green-purple, much branched, densely covered with purple or white long soft hairs. The leaves are opposite with long petioles, wrinkled blades, ovate to broadly ovate, with a suddenly pointed or gradually pointed tip, and coarsely round-toothed margins, purple on both sides, or green on the upper surface and purple on the underside. The raceme is terminal or axillary, the flowers are pale purplish-red or pale red, and the calyx is bell-shaped. The nutlets are obovate, grayish-brown, and the seeds are elliptical and tiny. The flowering period is June to July, and the fruiting period is July to September.

[Suitable Environment] It prefers a warm and humid climate. It has no strict requirements for soil, but loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam is best. It can also grow in slightly clayey soil, but its growth and development will be poorer.