I’ve grown purple curly leaf basil for the last couple of years and yes it can be invasive, if you don’t like it, pull it. Makes a WOW statement in the flower garden when teamed with marigolds.

When we consider that perilla is considered an invasive… http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/beefsteak-plant.pdf It seems important to make the distinction.

Wow Stone. Considering they’re both purple leaved plants, both aromatic, both have a history of uses in cooking and both look extremely similar to the average gardener, to call it confusing is only applicable to a kindergartener. You got proper credit for correctly identifying it and now it’s time you got over yourself and found another thread to troll….

There actually is a purple basil. (ocimum basilicum purpurascens) http://www.paghat.com/basil-redrubin.html referring to purr-illa as purple basil confuses people. Completely different plants with different uses….

It makes a great purple basil vinegar. Cut some branches and sit it in your favorite vinegar and let it soak for a few weeks. Delicious to make salad dressing with and beautiful too.

Purple leafed basil is how the one I planted was labeled as a common name but technically Stone is right, it’s scientific name is Perilla. From the article: “It has numerous common names, among them Ao Shiso, Beefsteak Plant, Ji Soo, Perilla, Purple Perilla, Shiso, Wild basil, Wild Red Basil, Chinese Basil, Purple Mint, Rattlesnake Weed, Summer Coleus and Perilla Mint.” It can be eaten but I would urge the poster to read the article stone provided. It has some potential health risks. I can also say it reseeds like crazy so unless you’re really in love with it, best to pull it before it sets seed.

Not basil… Compare with perilla frutescens… AKA shiso. http://www.eattheweeds.com/perilla/

Can this purple leafed basil be used in cooking

Purple leafed Basil. If you crunch the leaves and smell, you’ll see it smells like Basil.