Perilla frutescens
| Korean perilla | |
|---|---|
| Perilla growing in Gimpo | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Perilla |
| Species: | P. frutescens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Perilla frutescens | |
| Synonyms | |
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List
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Perilla frutescens, known as deulkkae (Korean: 들깨) or Korean perilla in Korea, as egoma (Japanese: エゴマ) in Japan, and as zisu (Chinese: 紫苏) in China, is a species of Perilla in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is an annual plant native to Southeast Asia and Indian highlands, and is traditionally grown in the Korean peninsula, southern China, Japan and India as a crop. A variety of this plant, P. frutescens var. crispa known as "shiso", is widely grown in Japan.
An edible plant, perilla is grown in gardens and attracts butterflies. It has a strong mint-like smell. The major volatile compound responsible for this characteristic aroma is perilla ketone, which is present in particularly high amounts in the leaves of Perilla frutescens described in this article.
In the United States, Perilla frutescens is a weed pest, toxic to cattle after ingestion.