'Kirkuk' Hoary Basil

Ocimum americanum Origin: Kirkuk, Iraq Improvement status: Landrace Seeds per packet: ~35 Germination tested 02/2025: 90% Life cycle: Annual From Kirkuk, Iraq, this hoary basil is a prolific producer of seeds — which are pretty much the main-event with this species, though the leaves have a musky-minty flavor and are excellent for tea. The seeds are used in the Middle East primarily for desserts and beverages. They're similar to chia seeds in that they surrounding themselves with a sticky mucilaginous goo upon submersion in water.This species (or possibly species complex) also has a long history of medicinal use, including against cough and other respiratory conditions, rheumatism, colic, conjunctivitis, malaria, and headache, and for its analgesic effects. In parts of Africa, a water-based extract has traditionally been used to manage diabetes and liver conditions."Hoary" is an archaic English word that means "greyish-white." While the leaves of this basil are distinctly green, they a