Several forms of shiso exist.
They are defined by the color and morphology of the leaves, though coloring is also found on the stalk and flower buds.
Redness in shiso is caused by shisonin, an anthocyanin pigment found in perilla.
Ruffled red shiso was the first form examined by Western botanists, and Carl Peter Thunberg named it P. crispa (meaning "wavy" or "curly").
That Latin name crispa was later retained when shiso was reclassfied as a cultigen.

Red shiso (f. purpurea) - Leaves red on both sides, flat surface.
Often called simply "shiso".

Ruffled red shiso (f. crispa) - Leaves red on both sides, ruffled surface.

Green shiso (f. viridis) - Leaves green on both sides, flat surface.

Ruffled green shiso (f. viridi-crispa) - Leaves green on both sides, ruffled surface.
Cultivar.

Bicolor shiso (f. discolor) - Leaves green on top side, red on back side, flat surface.
Cultivar.

Variegated shiso (f. rosea) - Leaves a mix of green and red on both sides, flat surface.
Several forms of shiso exist. They are defined by the color and morphology of the leaves, though coloring is also found on the stalk and flower buds. Redness in shiso is caused by shisonin, an anthocyanin pigment found in perilla. Ruffled red shiso was the first form examined by Western botanists, and Carl Peter Thunberg named it P. crispa (meaning "wavy" or "curly"). That Latin name crispa was later retained when shiso was reclassfied as a cultigen.
Red shiso (f. purpurea) - Leaves red on both sides, flat surface. Often called simply "shiso".
Ruffled red shiso (f. crispa) - Leaves red on both sides, ruffled surface.
Green shiso (f. viridis) - Leaves green on both sides, flat surface.
Ruffled green shiso (f. viridi-crispa) - Leaves green on both sides, ruffled surface. Cultivar.
Bicolor shiso (f. discolor) - Leaves green on top side, red on back side, flat surface. Cultivar.
Variegated shiso (f. rosea) - Leaves a mix of green and red on both sides, flat surface.
Shiso