Perilla frutescens

30 seeds Perilla frutescens.

Perilla frutescens (syn. Perilla nankinensis) is a cultivated plant of the mint family Lamiaceae. Suggested native origins are mountainous terrains of India and China, although some books say Southeast Asia.

It spread thorought China some time in remote antiquity. One of the early mentions on record occurs in Renown Physician's Extra Records (Chinese: 名醫別錄; pinyin: Míng Yī Bié Lù), ca. 500 AD., where it is listed as su (蘇), and some of its uses are described. The perilla was introduced into Japan around the 8th to 9th century.

The species was introduced into the Western horticulture as an ornamental, and in the United States became naturalized and established in a widespread area, and may be considered weedy or invasive.The oilseed variety contains about 38-45% lipid. Expressed from these seeds, the perilla oil exhibits one of the highest proportions of omega-3 (α-linolenic acid (ALA) fatty acids of any seed oil, at 54-64% and only 14% linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. This unusual n6:n3 ratio gives this crop potential for an alternative to other seed oils.

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