Ocimum
''Ocimum'' 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. Its best known species are the cooking herb basil, ''O. basilicum'', and the medicinal herb ''tulsi'' (holy basil), ''O. tenuiflorum''. Ecology ''Ocimum'' species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including '' Endoclita malabaricus''. Taxonomy The genus was first published by Carl Linnaeus in his book ''Species Plantarum'' on page 597 in 1753. The genus name of ''Ocimum'' is derived from the Ancient Greek word for basil, (). Species Accepted ''Ocimum'' species by Plants of the World Online, and World Flora Online; *'' Ocimum albostellatum'' *'' Ocimum americanum'' L. (tropical Africa), Indian subcontinent, China, southeast Asia *'' Ocimum amicorum'' A.J.Paton - Tanzania *'' Ocimum angustifolium'' Benth. - southe ...
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