Perilla frutescens var. crispa, also known by its Japanese name shiso, is a herb in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to the mountainous regions

Perilla frutescens var. crispa, also known by its Japanese name shiso, is a herb in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to the mountainous regions of China and India, but is now found worldwide. The Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Britain. In 1673, it was established as the Apothecaries' Garden in London by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries to grow plants to be used as medicines. Its rock garden is the oldest in Europe devoted to alpine plants and Mediterranean plants. --- The garden is Grade I listed in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England by English Heritage.