Ganga Tulsi, Gangotri: homonym or different species?

Tulsi, an aromatic medicinal plant finds its special place in Hinduism. It is often said that the worship of lord Vishnu is incomplete without Tulsi. But the species of Tulsi used for worshipping the deity varies from place to place. Be it the famous Vrindavan, Badrinath or Gangotri, the variants of Tulsi vary altogether. Mostly Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum L. belonging to the family Lamiaceae is used as holy basil, however in Badrinath, Badri Tulsi (Origanum vulgare) forms an…