Ocimum tenuiflorum

Ocimum tenuiflorum (also known as Ocimum sanctum, Tulsi, Tulasī) is an plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is also called Holy Basil.

Ocimum tenuiflorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Ocimum
Species:	O. tenuiflorum
Binomial name
Ocimum tenuiflorum L.
Synonyms
Geniosporum tenuiflorum (L.) Merr. Lumnitzera tenuiflora (L.) Spreng. Moschosma tenuiflorum (L.) Heynh. Ocimum hirsutum Benth. Ocimum inodorum Burm.f. Ocimum monachorum L. Ocimum sanctum L. Ocimum subserratum B.Heyne ex Hook.f. Ocimum tomentosum Lam. Plectranthus monachorum (L.) Spreng.

Holy Basil, as the name suggest has a holy meaning for people of India, especially towards North and South India. It is usually placed or grown in every household in India and carries religious meanings. In bigger households, the holy basil or tulsi plant is placed in the centre of the house and prayers are offered in the morning time. People usually light an incense stick or agarbatti and pour water on the plant during the prayer.

A Tulsi plant being worshipped as a goddess in the middle of the courtyard of the Meitei Hindus in Manipur.