This article needs additional citations for
verification. (December 2009) |
Ocimum | |
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Ocimum basilicum | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Subfamily: | Nepetoideae |
Tribe: | Ocimeae |
Genus: |
Ocimum L. [1] |
Synonyms [2] | |
|
Ocimum /ˈɒsɪməm/ is a genus of aromatic annual and perennial herbs and shrubs in the family Lamiaceae, native to the tropical and warm temperate regions of all 6 inhabited continents, with the greatest number of species in Africa. [2] It is the genus of basil and its best known species are the cooking herb great basil, O. basilicum, and the medicinal herb tulsi (holy basil), O. tenuiflorum.
Ocimum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita malabaricus.[ citation needed]
The genus was first published by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum on page 597 in 1753. [3]
The genus name of Ocimum is derived from the Ancient Greek word for basil, ὤκιμον (ṓkimon). [4]
Accepted Ocimum species by Plants of the World Online, [3] and World Flora Online; [5]
Most culinary and ornamental basils are cultivars of Ocimum basilicum and there are many hybrids between species. Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora) is a common ingredient in Thai cuisine, with a strong flavour similar to aniseed, used to flavour Thai curries and stir-fries.[ citation needed] Lemon basil (Ocimum × citriodorum) is a hybrid between O. americanum and O. basilicum. It is noted for its lemon flavour and used in cooking.[ citation needed]
Holy basil or tulsi ( O. tenuiflorum) is a sacred herb revered as dear to Vishnu in some sects of Vaishnavism.[ citation needed] Tulsi is used in teas, healing remedies, and cosmetics in India, and it is also used in Thai cooking.[ citation needed] Amazonian basil ( O. campechianum) is a South American species often utilized in ayahuasca rituals for its smell which is said to help avoid bad visions. [6] O. centraliafricanum is valued as an indicator species for the presence of copper deposits.[ citation needed]
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (December 2009) |
Ocimum | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Ocimum basilicum | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Subfamily: | Nepetoideae |
Tribe: | Ocimeae |
Genus: |
Ocimum L. [1] |
Synonyms [2] | |
|
Ocimum /ˈɒsɪməm/ is a genus of aromatic annual and perennial herbs and shrubs in the family Lamiaceae, native to the tropical and warm temperate regions of all 6 inhabited continents, with the greatest number of species in Africa. [2] It is the genus of basil and its best known species are the cooking herb great basil, O. basilicum, and the medicinal herb tulsi (holy basil), O. tenuiflorum.
Ocimum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita malabaricus.[ citation needed]
The genus was first published by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum on page 597 in 1753. [3]
The genus name of Ocimum is derived from the Ancient Greek word for basil, ὤκιμον (ṓkimon). [4]
Accepted Ocimum species by Plants of the World Online, [3] and World Flora Online; [5]
Most culinary and ornamental basils are cultivars of Ocimum basilicum and there are many hybrids between species. Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora) is a common ingredient in Thai cuisine, with a strong flavour similar to aniseed, used to flavour Thai curries and stir-fries.[ citation needed] Lemon basil (Ocimum × citriodorum) is a hybrid between O. americanum and O. basilicum. It is noted for its lemon flavour and used in cooking.[ citation needed]
Holy basil or tulsi ( O. tenuiflorum) is a sacred herb revered as dear to Vishnu in some sects of Vaishnavism.[ citation needed] Tulsi is used in teas, healing remedies, and cosmetics in India, and it is also used in Thai cooking.[ citation needed] Amazonian basil ( O. campechianum) is a South American species often utilized in ayahuasca rituals for its smell which is said to help avoid bad visions. [6] O. centraliafricanum is valued as an indicator species for the presence of copper deposits.[ citation needed]