There are three varietal types of perilla, namely, huihouxu, wild perilla, and ear-toothed varietal. According to the "Chinese Flora", the variation of perilla is large, and the ancient Chinese books call the one with all green leaves white perilla, and the one with purple on both sides of the leaves or green on the face and purple on the back perilla. However, according to modern taxonomist E.D. Merrilld's opinion, the two belong to the same kind of plant, and its variation is only for cultivation. And as mentioned earlier, perilla and white perilla leaf color, flower color, the sparseness of the hairs, aroma, etc. There are some differences, but the differences are subtle, so the two will be combined.

1. Back to the perilla (var. crispaDeane), also known as wrinkled leaves perilla or cockle perilla. Its leaf blade is wrinkled, often purple on both sides, leaf margin with narrow and deep serration, fruit calyx is smaller, more fragrant flavor. Cultivated throughout China. For medicinal use, as a spice and food, but also cultivated in the garden for ornamental use.

2. Wild perilla (var. acuta (Thunb.) Kudo] is also known as sharp-leaved perilla. Leaves smaller, ovate, leaf margin with pointed serration, both surfaces are sparsely pilose. Produced in Shanxi, Hebei, Hubei, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Guangxi, Yunnan, etc. Born in mountains, roadsides, or cultivated beside houses.

3. Ear-toothed var. auriculato-dentataWuetLi is similar to wild Perilla in its main traits, but the leaf base is rounded or cordate, with auricular tooth defects, and the stamens are slightly protruding from the corolla. It is produced on mountain slopes and roadsides in Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Guizhou, and Hubei.

Based on the color of the seeds, Chinese folk also often divide Perilla frutescens into Perilla frutescens and Perilla frutescens.

1). Perilla leaves are purple on the front and back or green on the face and purple on the back or green on both sides, the corolla is purplish-red to pink, the nutlets are brownish-brown, the seeds are brownish-black, and the aroma is stronger.

2). White sage leaves pale green adaxially, paler abaxially, slightly densely hairy. Corolla white, calyx slightly larger. Nutlets gray-white, seeds gray-white, slightly larger than perilla seeds. The aroma is not as strong as perilla.