There are numerous perilla species taxonomically, and many are named differently in various locations. However, all are woody, herbaceous annuals.
Here in the US, there are two types you’ll run into while foraging: green and purple. Green is likely the cultivar Perilla frutescens, while red is likely Perilla frutescens var. crispa. They look alike except for the color difference.
Leaves: Leaves are oval with serrated edges and grow up to four inches long. They are petiolate and grooved in the center, appearing in opposites like many other members of the mint family.
Leaves will be green, red, purple, or a combination of these colors. The tops may be colored differently from the undersides, with green showing from above and purple from below. Undersides may have short hairs, while tops rarely do. READ FULL ARTICLE