Plant Perilla frutescens var. crispa

Spice:

Shiso

Botanical Name:

Perilla frutescens var. crispa

Botany:

Shiso grows to 40–100 centimetres (16–39 in) tall. It has broad ovate leaves with pointy ends and serrated margins, arranged oppositely with long leafstalks. Shiso seeds are about 1mm in size, and are smaller and harder compared to other perilla varieties. Seeds weigh about 1.5 g per 1000 seeds. The plants are not frost hardy. In USDA zones 11 and above, they grow as perennials.

Cultivation:

In temperate climates, the plant is self-sowing, but the seeds are not viable after long storage, and germination rates are low after a year.

Wikipedia URL:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiso