Morphologically it is an erect, much branched subshrub which is of about 30-60 cm tall with
hairy stems and simple opposite green leaves that are strongly scented. Leaves have
petioles, and are ovate, up to 5 cm long, usually slightly toothed. Leaf color (Fig. 1) ranges
from light green (Rama tulsi) to dark purple (Krishna tulsi). Flowers are purplish in elongate
racemes in close whorls (Fig. 2). The morphology of Ocimum sanctum Linn is detailed in