perilla

pe·ril·la  (p-rl)

n.

1. An annual Asian plant (Perilla frutescens) having opposite leaves, a bell-shaped calyx, and flowers with a short, white, tubular corolla. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental and for its oily seeds.

2. The oil from the seeds of this plant, widely used in the manufacture of paint, varnish, and artificial leather and as a substitute for linseed oil.

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[New Latin, genus name.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Perilla - small genus of Asiatic herbs genus Perilla asterid dicot genus - genus of more or less advanced dicotyledonous herbs and some trees and shrubs family Labiatae, family Lamiaceae, Labiatae, Lamiaceae, mint family - a large family of aromatic herbs and shrubs having flowers resembling the lips of a mouth and four-lobed ovaries yielding four one-seeded nutlets and including mint; thyme; sage; rosemary beefsteak plant, Perilla frutescens crispa - plant grown for its ornamental red or purple foliage