The nine story tower is not Schizonepeta tenuifolia. They are two different plants. The nine storey tower, also known as basil, is a species imported from abroad with high cost. The main origin of Schizonepeta tenuifolia is Henan, which is good and cheap. To distinguish between the two, you can smell the taste. Schizonepeta is more pungent, while the taste of the nine storey tower is more mild.
Although the shapes of jiucengta and Schizonepeta tenuifolia are very similar, they are actually two completely different plants. They belong to different species and have very different tastes. Therefore, they are generally used differently as condiments.
The scientific name of the nine storey tower is basil, but it is called differently in different places. For example, some rural areas call it 'Jinbuhuan'. The nine story tower is a species imported from abroad. Therefore, when it is used as a seasoning, most of the cost is high. Now it is often used only in some Western restaurants.
The main producing area of Schizonepeta tenuifolia is Henan. It has a long history of planting in China and is widely distributed. Therefore, compared with the nine storey tower, it is more high-quality and cheap, and is more common in ordinary hotels. To distinguish the two, you can smell the taste. Generally, the taste of Schizonepeta tenuifolia is heavier and very pungent, while the taste of the nine storey tower will be more mild.