Perilla

An aromatic herb whose square stems can grow to be six foot tall and bear big, curved leaves along with pink and white flowers. It is part of the mint and basil family and is also known as "shiso". The entire plant is slightly hairy and all parts of the plant can be used. There is a green and a red variety, with the red perilla being milder in flavor than the green. Both are used in seasoning sushi but the red perilla is generally found pickled. The green perilla is used in salads and cooked dishes.