This site is devoted to basil genomics. It hosts the sweet basil reference genome of the Genovese-type cultivar 'Perrie' and provides multiple bioinformatics tools to explore and download data of Ocimum basilicum L. known as sweet basil. Basil (2n = 56) is a member of the Apiaceae family. Within the genus Ocimum, there are 67 accepted species according to World Flora Online (WFO). Sweet basil, O. basilicum, is the most recognized and studied, alongside the holy basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (syn. O. sanctum). However, the term "sweet basil" is not used scientifically, and confusion exists. Broadly speaking, sweet basil types are appreciated for their pleasant smell and sometimes refer by their aroma type: The Genovese-type basils are used to prepare the famous Italian Pesto sauce and are dominant with the aroma volatiles linalool and eugenol; Thai-type basils are dominant by the volatile methyl chavicol which gives them their anise-like aroma; cinnamon basils are dominant by the volatile methyl cinnamate. Basils are cultivated worldwide as a crop for various culinary uses, as a source for essential oils and as ornamentals. The origin of basil is from tropical and warm climate zones, such as Africa and Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, the domestication course and events are not clear yet. Sweet basil is a tetraploid organism with 56 chromosomes (2n = 26, x = 13), yet, multiple ploidy and chromosome numbers were reported.
