Perilla (Perilla frutescens) also known as: Purple Perilla, Beefsteak Plant, Shiso, Wild Basil, Wild Red Basil, Chinese Basil, Purple Mint, Rattlesnake Weed and Summer Coleus Division - Magnoliaphyta Class - Magnoliopsida Subclass - Asteridae Order - Lamiales Family - Lamiaceae Genus - Perilla The line between weed and ornamental plant is a blurry line. Perilla is generally considered an ornamental annual, planted from seed. However, it does seed itself, and as can be seen in these pictures, can infest as a weed the next year. Here we see perilla infesting a whole area of the now former Broad and South Garden. Weeds Taxonomic List List by Scientific Name List by Common Name