Spanish thyme, Dominican oregano
Lippia micromera

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

A shrub. The leaves have a scent. It grows 50 cm to 2.3 m tall. The stems are branched and arch over. They are wiry. The leaves are opposite and crowded. The blades are oval or rounded. They are 0.5-1 cm long. They are strongly creased length wise. Both sides are hairy. The base tapers and is wedge shaped. The flowering stalks occur singly. They form half round heads. The flowers are very small.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It does well in hot, sunny locations. It can tolerate dry and poor soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America (country/location of origin), Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Puerto Rico, South America (country/location of origin), St Lucia, Trinidad, USA, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves have the flavour of thyme. The small leaves and young stems are used to flavour soups, salads, meats and other foods.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, flavouring

How it is grown

It is usually grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Diten dijin, Diten keyal, False thyme, Jamaican oregano, Mexican oregano

Synonyms

Lippia helleri Britton; Lippia micromeria Schauer var. helleri (Britton) Moldenke;