Ocimum tenuiflorum L.

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Lamiales > Lamiaceae > Ocimum > O. tenuiflorum

Description: Small annual or short-lived perennial shrub, up to 1 metre (3.3 feet) in height. The stems are hairy and bear simple toothed or entire leaves oppositely along the stem. The fragrant leaves are green or purple, depending on the variety. The small purple or white tubular flowers have green or purple sepals and are borne in terminal spikes. The fruits are nutlets and produce numerous seeds.

Flowering and fruiting: January - December

Uses: The plant is widely used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine, often as an herbal tea for a variety of ailments, and is considered sacred in Hinduism. It is also used as a culinary herb with a pungent flavour that intensifies with cooking. It is reminiscent of clove, Italian basil (Ocimum basilicum), and mint and has a peppery spiciness. It is considered an agricultural weed and an invasive species in some areas outside its native range.

Cultivation: Cultivated

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org

https://www.britannica.com/science/Ayurveda