Oregano, Delight of the mountain, Wild marjoram
Origanum vulgare

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A creeping plant. It is a leafy bush with creeping roots. It grows to about 1 m high. It has small dark green leaves and red-brown stems. The leaves are 1-3 cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm wide. They are broadly oval. It has purple or pink flowers. They occur in 4 sided spikes. It has a smell like thyme. There are many named cultivated varieties.

There are 20 Origanum species. It has anticancer properties.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can be grown from seed, cuttings or division of established plants. In China it grows between 500 and 3600 m altitude. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 3,300-4,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Tasmania Herbarium. In Hobart Botanical gardens. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Andes, Andorra, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece (country/location of origin), Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy (country/location of origin), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Norway, NW India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Sicily, Sikkim, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain (country/location of origin), Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, West Indies, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The leaves and flowers are used to flavour food. They are used in soups, stews, casseroles, sauces, and tomato and egg dishes. They are also cooked as a vegetable. The leaves can be dried. The leaves and seeds are pickled. The leaves are dried and brewed into a herbal tea. The flowering tops are sometimes put into beer and ale as a flavour and preservative.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, herb, spice, vegetable, flowers - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown from tip cuttings or rooted stems.

Its other names

Local names

Akhebobo, Akheno, Bergmynte, Bishmaro, Boz cay, Caj, Cobraliai, Dushitsa, Ezerjofu, Kair, Kedu, Kekik, Khnkatsaghik, Kongsgress, Lachung, Macierzynka, Mak tok-pa, Maruga, Mirzanjosh, Mridumaruvamu, Niu zhi, Oreganue, Organy, Origan, Origano, Planinski chaj, Pune, Ramtulsi, Raudene, Rigan, Sathra, Sovarv, Tano, Tavshava, Taw-yon, Vorstirohi, Yon-bwe

Synonyms

Origanum laxiflora Royle; Origanum normale D.Don; Origanum creticum Lour.; Origanum vulgare var. formosanum Hayata;