16 weird plants that seem more supernatural than natural

5. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
This popular kitchen herb may be more commonly associated with sauce than sorcery, but this hasn't always been the case. Victorian floriography - the practice of assigning codes to flowers to send messages via bouquets and arrangements, also called the language of flowers - associates basil with hatred. This link comes from the ancient Greeks who felt the plant's leaves resembled a basilisk's opening jaws. Maybe you'll pause before sprinkling your friend's pizza with this hateful herb next time…