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| Ocimum | ||||||||||||
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 Ocimum basilicum
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About 35 species, including: |
Ocimum is a genus of about 35 species of aromatic annual and perennial herbs and shrubs in the family Lamiaceae, native to the tropical and warm temperate regions of the Old World.
Ocimum basilicum, or Sweet Basil, is a culinary herb of major importance. Most culinary and ornamental basils are cultivars of the species Ocimum basilicum, but other species are also grown and there are many hybrids between species.
Ocimum tenuiflorum (syn. O. sanctum), commonly called Holy Basil or Tulsi, is a sacred herb in India, used in teas, healing remedies, and cosmetics. The plant is worshipped as dear to Vishnu in some sects of Vaishnavism. It is also used in Thai cooking.
Thai basil, O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora, is a common ingredient in Thai cuisine with a strong flavour similar to aniseed, used to flavour curries and stir-fries.
Ocimum americanum (syn. O. canum) is a native of tropical Africa.
Ocimum × citriodorum (Lemon Basil), a hybrid between O. americanum and O. basilicum, is noted for its lemon flavour and used in cooking.
Ocimum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita malabaricus.
See also
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This Lamiaceae article is a stub. Please help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
