Perilla (peril a)

[NL. (Linnæus, 1764), from a native name in India.] A genus of annual herbs of the order Labiatæ, tribe Saturei neæ, and subtribe Menthoideæ, known by the four perfect didynamous stamens, the reticulated nutlets, and the declined two-lipped fruiting calyx. The 2 species are natives of eastern India and China. They bear small flowers in racemes, and usually purple or deep-violet foliage, on account of which P. Nankin ens is, sometimes called beefsteak - plant, has been yields an infusion used redden vegetables, etc.; ich used form ament borders table arguablapan and the oil yemola, pre ed from its seeds, is used in the preparation of Japanese paper to imitate leather, and of water-proof papers for umbrellas, windows, etc.