Varieties of Perilla

Wild Perilla

The scientific name is Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var.acuta (Odash.) Kudô.

The difference between wild perilla and perilla is that the calyx of wild perilla is relatively small, 4-5.5 mm long, with sparse soft hairs and glandular dots on the bottom, and short sparse soft hairs on the stem.

The leaves are relatively small, oval, 4.5-7.5 cm long and 2.8-5 cm wide, with sparse soft hairs on both sides. The nutlets are relatively small, earthy yellow, and 1-1.5 mm in diameter.

Perilla frutescens var.

The scientific name is Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. auriculatodentata CY Wu & Hsuan ex HW Li.

This variety is very similar to wild perilla, except that the leaf base is round or cordate, with ear-shaped teeth, and the stamens slightly protrude from the corolla.

It is native to Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei and Guizhou in China, and grows on hillsides, roadsides or in forests.

Huihuisu

The scientific name is Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. crispa (Thunb.) Hand.-Mazz.

The difference between Huihuisu and Perilla is that the leaves have narrow and deep serrations, are often purple, and have smaller calyxes.

It is cultivated throughout China and used as medicine or as a spice.