18 TYPES OF BASIL (TULSI)
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In different parts of the world, several types of basil are cultivated, some of the widely used varieties can be categorized in two groups – holy basil (ocimum sanctum) and mediterranean basil (ocimum basilicum).
A. HOLY BASIL
It is known as Tulsi and is the most revered houseplant, in India it is associated with ayurveda and hindu religion as goddess of wealth, health and prosperity. The plants have strong medicinal properties compared to second group species. There are several varieties popular based on the regional religious beliefs which are known by a several vernacular and common names such as in Sanskrit it is named as Rama Tulsi and Krishna Tulsi, in Malayalam it is called Trittavu, in Marathi as Tulshi, Tulasi in Tamil, Thulsi in Telugu and Holy Basil in English. Not to be confused with Ocimum Tenuiflorum, it is a synonym for Ocimum Sanctum. There 4 species popular of Holy basil:
1. Rama tulsi (ocimum sanctum)
2. Krishna tulsi (ocimum tenuiflorum)
3. Amrita tulsi (ocimum tenuiflorum)
4. Vana tulsi (ocimum gratissum)
B. MEDITERRANEAN BASIL
It is known as Sweet basil and is the most popular variety of basil which is found all over the world including Asia, Eurpe, America and Africa. It is most consumed herb world wide and known by several common names such as king of herbs, royal herb, great basil and Saint-Joseph’s-wort etc, it is used in culinary preparations and used in several types of popular cuisines like Italian, Thai etc.
5. Sweet basil (ocimum basilicum)
6. Thai basil (ocimum thyrsiflora)
7. Purple basil (ocimum basilicum)
8. Lemon basil (ocimum citriodorum)
9. Vietnamese basil (ocimum cinnamon)
10. American basil (ocimum americanum)
11. African blue basil (ocimum kilimandscharicum)
12. Italian genovese basil (ocimum basilicum)
13. Lettuce basil
14. Green ruffles basil
15. Cardinal basil
16. Greek basil
17. Spicy globe basil
18. Summer long basil
NTRODUCTION OF SPECIES:
1. RAMA TULSI (OCIMUM SANCTUM)
The plant has pure green leaves and better tolerance to winters, sun light, plant requires more watering and fertilization than the other varieties. The Queen of herbs is one of the most worshiped aromatic herbs that is found at almost every house in India.
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 15 to 40 degree celsius
Common names – Ram Tulsi
2. KRISHNA TULSI (OCIMUM TENUIFLORUM)
The plant has purple fringed leaves and purple stems with pungent and strong test of leaves, it has more medicinal properties than the other species. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 20 to 45 degree celsius
Common names – Krishna Tulsi
3. AMRITA TULSI (OCIMUM TENUIFLORUM)
The plant is less commonly grown perennial, aromatic and sacred species of holy basil in India. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 15 to 40 degree celsius
Common names – Amrita Tulsi
4. VANA TULSI (OCIMUM GRATISSUM)
It is woody type perennial, aromatic and sacred species of holy basil in India. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 15 to 40 degree celsius
Common names – Vana Tulsi
5. SWEET BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM)
It is most commonly grown perennial, aromatic and culinary type species of basil, the plant has bigger green color leaves and stems. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 10 to 35 degree celsius
Common names – Basil
6. THAI BASIL (OCIMUM THYRSIFLORA)
It is perennial, aromatic and culinary type species of basil, the plant has green color pointed leaves, reddish purple color stem and dark purple color flowers. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 10 to 35 degree celsius
Common names – Thai Basil
7. PURPLE BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM)
It is commonly grown perennial, aromatic and culinary type species of basil, the plant has bigger purple color leaves and stems. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 10 to 35 degree celsius
Common names – Purple Basil
8. LEMON BASIL (OCIMUM CITRIODORUM)
The plant is perennial, aromatic and culinary type species of basil, the plant has green color leaves and white color flowers. It has strong lemon scent and all parts of the flower, leaves and stems are edible. It is known by several common names such as Lemon basil, hoary basil, Thai lemon basil, or Lao basil etc it is a hybrid between sweet basil and american basil. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 10 to 35 degree celsius
Common names – Lemon Basil
9. VIETNAMESE BASIL (OCIMUM CINNAMON)
It is perennial, aromatic and culinary type species of basil, the plant has green color leaves, reddish purple color stem and pink color flowers. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 10 to 35 degree celsius
Common names – Vietnamese Basil
10. AMERICAN BASIL (OCIMUM AMERICANUM)
It is perennial, aromatic and culinary type species of basil, the plant is known for its rich color, sweet flavor, cleanliness and uniformity of particle size, it is considered to be of very high quality which has green color pointed leaves, purple color stem and purple color flowers. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 10 to 35 degree celsius
Common names – Americal Basil
11. AFRICAN BLUE BASIL (OCIMUM KILIMANDSCHARICUM)
It is perennial, aromatic and culinary type species of basil, the plant has green color leaves and purple color flowers. It has strong camphor scent and all parts of the flower, leaves and stems are edible. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 10 to 35 degree celsius
Common names – Blue Basil, Kapur Tulsi
12. ITALIAN GENOVESE BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM)
It is classic Italian species with large dark green leaves, it is most common grown perennial, aromatic and culinary type species of basil, the plant has bigger green color leaves and stems. Below are its growing habits:
Location – Outdoors
Light – Full Sun
Watering – Daily, except winters
Temperature – Loves range 10 to 35 degree celsius
Common names – Italian Basil
