On the Indian origin of Ocimum (Lamiaceae): a palynological approach

Abstract

Heaxacolporate pollen grains recovered from a bore-hole core no. K12 drilled by the MECL at Kuchaur-Benia area, Bikaner district, Rajasthan closely resemble the extant pollen of Ocimum spp., by their size range, shape, pluricolumellate reticulation and presence of columella in lumina. The palynological assemblage from where these grains were recovered indicates an Early Eocene age. Since this is the oldest record of fossil Ocimum pollen known so far it is postulated that the genus Ocimum originated in India.