Vietnamese Perilla Seeds (Perilla Frutescens) Warm season annual,Asian herb The genus name Perilla comes from the Latin word pera meaning bag in reference to the shape of the fruiting calyx. While the specific epithet frutescens means shrubby or bushy. Perilla leaves can also be preserved in soy sauce or blanched and stored in the refrigerator for up to a month. In Chinese, they are known as zisu, zi meaning purple and su meaning comfort. Perilla is an annual flower known for its frilly purple leaves. Perilla plants are easy to grow; perhaps they grow too easily, for they self-sow all over the place. Perilla frutescens var. crispa, also known by its Japanese name shiso, is a cultigen of Perilla frutescens. Also known as beefsteak, the perilla herb has other uses. Perilla leaves are used for dressing dishes in the kitchen due to their vibrant purple color.