This basil plant is small but attractive with its dark green, rounded leaves. In August and September, white flowers of delicate beauty bloom among the stems. This plant is very popular for all of its edible parts and the wonderful flavor they add to cooking. The leaves can be eaten raw and make a wonderful addition to salad with their scent resemblance to clove. Cooked, the flavor becomes more concentrated and is popular in tomato dishes and sauces and pasta.

The leaves also make a pleasant tea and the seed can be eaten alone or used as flavoring. From this plant, an essential oil can also be obtained and used in food flavoring, medicine or cosmetics.