View source for Savory (herb)

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Savory
| image = Satureja montana0.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = [[Winter Savory]] (''Satureja montana'')
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| subclassis = [[Asteridae]]
| unranked_ordo = [[Euasterids I]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = '''''Satureja'''''
| genus_authority = [[Joseph Pitton de Tournefort|Tourn.]] ex [[Philip Miller|Mill.]]
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision = 
About 30, see text
}}

'''''Satureja''''' is a [[genus]] of aromatic [[plant]]s of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Lamiaceae]], related to [[rosemary]] and [[thyme]]. There are about 30 [[species]] called '''savories''', of which [[Summer Savory]] and [[Winter Savory]] are the most important in cultivation.

==Description==
''Satureja'' species are native to warm temperate regions and may be [[annual plant|annual]] or [[perennial plant|perennial]]. They are low-growing [[herb]]s and [[subshrub]]s, reaching heights of 15-50 cm.

The [[leaf|leaves]] are 1 to 3 cm long, with [[flower]]s forming in whorls on the stem, white to pale pink-violet.

==Ecology and cultivation==
''Satureja'' species are food plants for the [[larva]] of some [[Lepidoptera]]. Caterpillars of the [[moth]] ''[[Coleophora bifrondella]]'' feed exclusively on [[Winter Savory]] (''S. montana'').

Savory may be grown purely for ornamental purposes; members of the genus need sun and well-drained soil.

==Uses== 
[[Image:Bonenkruid-spice.jpg||thumb|left|Dried [[Summer Savory]] leaves]] 
Both summer savory and winter savory are used to flavor food. The former is preferred by cooks but as an annual is only available in summer; [[winter savory]] is an evergreen perennial.

Savory plays an important part in [[Italian cuisine]], particularly when cooking beans. It is also used to season the traditional [[Acadian]] stew known as ''[[fricot]]''. 

[[Yerba Buena]] ([[Spanish (language)|Spanish]]: "good herb"; ''S. douglasii'') is used to make a herbal tea in the western United States.
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Winter savory is reputed to help ease [[flatulence]].

==Selected species==
[[image:Satureja mexicana 2.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Satureja mexicana]]'']]
* ''[[Satureja acinos]]''
* ''[[Satureja alpina]]''
* ''[[Satureja coerulea]]''
* ''[[Satureja cuneifolia]]''
* ''Satureja douglasii'' &ndash; [[Yerba Buena]] (syn. ''S. chamissonis'')
* ''Satureja hortensis'' &ndash; [[Summer Savory]]
* ''[[Satureja mexicana]]''
* ''Satureja montana'' &ndash; [[Winter Savory]]
* ''[[Satureja multiflora]]'' &ndash; [[Chilean Shrub Mint]]
* ''[[Satureja palmeri]]'' (believed [[extinct]]; rediscovered 2001)
* ''[[Satureja rumelica]]''
* ''[[Satureja spicigera]]''
* ''[[Satureja thymbra]]''
* ''[[Satureja viminea]]'' &ndash; [[Serpentine Savory]]

===Formerly in ''Satureja''===
* [[Browne's Savory]], ''Clinopodium brownei'' (as ''Satureja brownei'')
* [[Large-flowered Calamint]], ''Calamintha grandiflora'' (as ''Satureja grandiflora'')
* [[Stone Mint]], ''Cunila mariana'' (as ''Satureja origanoides'')

==See also==
*[[Za'atar]]

{{commonscat|Satureja}}

{{Herbs & spices}}


{{ingredient-stub}}
{{lamiaceae-stub}}
{{vegetable-stub}}

[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]