What is "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 Cooking basil, O. basilicum and the medicinal herb Tulsi (holy basil) , O. tenuiflorum.