Wild Basil

Clinopodium vulgare. A native plant that is common in England, uncommon in Scotland and very rare in Ireland. It is found in scrub and hedges, especially on chalk or limestone. Wild basil can be used fresh with salads and is especially good with tomatoes. It can be dried and kept for use in stews and soups. The flavour is rather mild so your salad will need a liberal quantity of chopped young leaves.