Difference between revisions of "Oregano"

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{{Taxobox
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{{SPlantbox
| color = lightgreen
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|familia=Lamiaceae
| name = Oregano
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|genus=Origanum
| image = ChristianBauer flowering oregano.jpg
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|species=vulgare
| image_width = 240px
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|taxo_author=L.
| image_caption = Flowering oregano
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|common_name=Oregano
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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|habit=herbaceous
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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|Min ht box=30
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
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|Min ht metric=cm
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
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|Max ht box=45
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
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|Max ht metric=cm
| genus = ''[[Origanum]]''
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|lifespan=perennial
| species = '''''O. vulgare'''''
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|exposure=sun
| binomial = ''Origanum vulgare''
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|water=moderate, dry
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
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|features=evergreen, fragrance, edible, drought tolerant
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|Temp Metric=°F
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|min_zone=5
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|max_zone=10
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|image=Origanum vulgare.JPG
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|image_width=240
 +
|image_caption=Oregano
 
}}
 
}}
 +
'''Oregano''' or '''Pot Marjoram''' (''Origanum vulgare'') is a species of ''[[Origanum]]'', native to [[Europe]], the [[Mediterranean region]] and southern and central [[Asia]]. It is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]], growing to 20-80 cm tall, with opposite [[leaf|leaves]] 1-4 cm long. The [[flower]]s are purple, 3-4 mm long, produced in erect spikes.  Its name derives from the Greek ''origanon''.
  
'''Oregano''' or '''Pot Marjoram''' (''Origanum vulgare'') is a species of ''[[Origanum]]'', native to [[Europe]], the [[Mediterranean region]] and southern and central [[Asia]]. It is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]], growing to 20-80 cm tall, with opposite [[leaf|leaves]] 1-4 cm long. The [[flower]]s are purple, 3-4 mm long, produced in erect spikes. Its name derives from the Greek ''origanon'' [ὀρίγανον]: oros [ὄρος] “mountain” + the verb ''ganousthai'' [γανοῦσθαι] “delight in”.  
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{{Inc|
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Origanum vulgare. Linn. Rootstocks nearly horizontal: plant more or less hairy: Lvs. stalked, broadly ovate, sub- serrate or entire, broadly rounded at the base or sub- cordate: fls. purplish (varying to pink or nearly white), in corymbed clusters or short spikes; bracts purplish, about the length of the calyx; corolla longer than calyx; 2 or 4 of the stamens exserted.—Cult. in old gardens; also wild along eastern roadsides and in fields, naturalized from Eu. An erect herb, 1-2½ ft. high, aromatic. It runs into several forms, one of them being var. aureum, Hort., with golden or yellow foliage.
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}}
  
== Cultivation and uses ==  
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== Cultivation ==  
[[Image:Oregano.jpg|left|thumb|Oregano growing in a field.]]
 
 
The subspecies of oregano ''Origanum vulgare hirtum'' is an important culinary herb. It is particularly widely used in [[Greek cuisine|Greek]] and [[Italian cuisine]]s. It is the [[leaves]] that are used in cooking, and the dried herb is often more flavourful than the fresh.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}
 
The subspecies of oregano ''Origanum vulgare hirtum'' is an important culinary herb. It is particularly widely used in [[Greek cuisine|Greek]] and [[Italian cuisine]]s. It is the [[leaves]] that are used in cooking, and the dried herb is often more flavourful than the fresh.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}
  
Oregano is often used in tomato sauces, fried vegetables and grilled meat. Together with [[basil]], it contributes much to the distinctive character of many Italian dishes.
 
 
Oregano combines nicely with pickled [[olives]], [[capers]] and [[lovage]] leaves. Unlike most Italian herbs,{{Fact|date=July 2007}} oregano works with hot and spicy food, which is popular in southern Italy.
 
 
Oregano is an indispensable ingredient for [[Greek cuisine]]. Oregano adds flavour to the [[Greek salad]] and is usually used separately or added to the lemon-olive oil sauce that accompanies almost every fish or meat barbecues and some casseroles.
 
 
[[Image:Oregano_in_Pot.jpg|left|thumb|Oregano growing in a pot.]]
 
 
It has an [[aroma]]tic, warm and slightly [[Bitter (taste)|bitter]] taste. It varies in intensity; good quality is so strong that it almost numbs the tongue, but the cultivars adapted to colder climates have often unsatisfactory flavour. The influence of climate, season and soil on the composition of the essential oil is greater than the difference between the various species.
 
It has an [[aroma]]tic, warm and slightly [[Bitter (taste)|bitter]] taste. It varies in intensity; good quality is so strong that it almost numbs the tongue, but the cultivars adapted to colder climates have often unsatisfactory flavour. The influence of climate, season and soil on the composition of the essential oil is greater than the difference between the various species.
  
 
The related species ''Origanum onites'' ([[Greece]], [[Asia Minor]]) and ''O. heracleoticum'' ([[Italy]], [[Balkan peninsula]], [[West Asia]]) have similar flavours. A closely related plant is [[marjoram]] from Asia Minor, which, however, differs significantly in taste, because [[phenolic compounds]] are missing in its essential oil. Some breeds show a flavour intermediate between oregano and marjoram.
 
The related species ''Origanum onites'' ([[Greece]], [[Asia Minor]]) and ''O. heracleoticum'' ([[Italy]], [[Balkan peninsula]], [[West Asia]]) have similar flavours. A closely related plant is [[marjoram]] from Asia Minor, which, however, differs significantly in taste, because [[phenolic compounds]] are missing in its essential oil. Some breeds show a flavour intermediate between oregano and marjoram.
  
;Pizza
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===Propagation===
The dish most associated with oregano is [[pizza]]. Its relatives have probably been eaten in Southern Italy for centuries.
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===Pests and Diseases===
  
===Health benefits===
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==Varieties==
Oregano is high in [[antioxidant]] activity, due to a high content of [[phenol antioxidant|phenolic]] acids and [[flavonoid]]s (PMID 16218659, PMID 12730411).   Additionally, oregano has demonstrated [[antimicrobial]] activity against food-borne pathogens such as ''[[Listeria monocytogenes]]'' (PMID 16218659). Both of these characteristics may be useful in both [[health]] and [[food preservation]]. In the [[Philippines]], oregano (coleus aromaticus) is not commonly used for cooking but is rather considered as a primarily medicinal plant, useful for relieving children's coughs.[[Image:OreganoDried1.JPG|thumb|Branch of dried oregano]]  
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There are a number of subspecies of oregano. For example, ''O. [[vulgare hirtum]]'' (Italian oregano), O''. vulgare gracile'', as well as cultivars, with each evincing distinct flavours.<ref>[http://www.organicgardening.com/featureprint/1,7759,s-5-71-1180,00.html Organic Gardening]</ref>
  
== Other plants called oregano ==
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=== Other plants called oregano ===
 
'''Mexican oregano''', ''[[Lippia graveolens]]'' ([[Verbenaceae]]) is closely related to [[lemon verbena]].  It is a highly studied herb that is said to be of some medical use and is common in [[curandera]] female [[shaman]]ic practices in Mexico and the [[Southwestern United States]]. Mexican oregano has a very similar flavour to oregano, but is usually stronger.  It is becoming more commonly sold outside of Mexico, especially in the United States.  It is  
 
'''Mexican oregano''', ''[[Lippia graveolens]]'' ([[Verbenaceae]]) is closely related to [[lemon verbena]].  It is a highly studied herb that is said to be of some medical use and is common in [[curandera]] female [[shaman]]ic practices in Mexico and the [[Southwestern United States]]. Mexican oregano has a very similar flavour to oregano, but is usually stronger.  It is becoming more commonly sold outside of Mexico, especially in the United States.  It is  
 
sometimes used as a substitute for [[epazote]] leaves; this substitution would not work the other way round.
 
sometimes used as a substitute for [[epazote]] leaves; this substitution would not work the other way round.
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Several other plants are also known as oregano in various  parts of Mexico, including ''[[Poliomintha longiflora]]'', ''[[Lippia berlandieri]]'', and ''[[Plectranthus amboinicus]]'' (syn. ''Coleus aromaticus''), also called Cuban oregano.
 
Several other plants are also known as oregano in various  parts of Mexico, including ''[[Poliomintha longiflora]]'', ''[[Lippia berlandieri]]'', and ''[[Plectranthus amboinicus]]'' (syn. ''Coleus aromaticus''), also called Cuban oregano.
  
==See also==
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==Gallery==
*[[Za'atar]]
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<gallery>
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Image:Origanum vulgare 1.jpg
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Image:ChristianBauer flowering oregano.jpg
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Image:Origanum-vulgare.JPG
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Image:Origanum vulgare.jpg|'Nana' dwarf
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Image:Lebiodka pospolita.oregano.12days.jpg
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Image:Origanum vulgare dry.jpg|Dried oregano in the wild
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Image:Oregano.jpg
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Image:Dobromysl obecná.jpg
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Image:Origanum vulgare1.jpg
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Image:Origanum vulgare2 ies.jpg
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Image:Origanum vulgare 05 ies.jpg
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Image:Origanum vulgare 06 ies.jpg
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Image:Origanum vulgare 09 ies.jpg
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Image:Oregano1.jpg
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Image:Oregano2.jpg
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File:Origanum vulgare 2.jpg
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</gallery>
  
 
==References and external links==
 
==References and external links==
*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Origanum+&SPECIES_XREF=vulgare&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Flora Europaea: ''Origanum vulgare'']
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*{{wplink}}
*[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?25913 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Origanum vulgare'']
 
*[http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Orig_vul.html Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages: ''Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.)'']
 
{{Commons|Origanum vulgare}}
 
{{Herbs & spices}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
 
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
 
[[Category:Herbs]]
 
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
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__NOTOC__

Latest revision as of 17:08, 24 February 2010


Oregano


Plant Characteristics
Habit   herbaceous

Height: 30 cm"cm" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 30. to 45 cm"cm" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 45.
Lifespan: perennial
Cultivation
Exposure: sun
Water: moderate, dry
Features: evergreen, fragrance, edible, drought tolerant
USDA Zones: 5 to 10
Scientific Names

Lamiaceae >

Origanum >

vulgare >

L. >


Oregano or Pot Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) is a species of Origanum, native to Europe, the Mediterranean region and southern and central Asia. It is a perennial herb, growing to 20-80 cm tall, with opposite leaves 1-4 cm long. The flowers are purple, 3-4 mm long, produced in erect spikes. Its name derives from the Greek origanon.


Read about Oregano in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Origanum vulgare. Linn. Rootstocks nearly horizontal: plant more or less hairy: Lvs. stalked, broadly ovate, sub- serrate or entire, broadly rounded at the base or sub- cordate: fls. purplish (varying to pink or nearly white), in corymbed clusters or short spikes; bracts purplish, about the length of the calyx; corolla longer than calyx; 2 or 4 of the stamens exserted.—Cult. in old gardens; also wild along eastern roadsides and in fields, naturalized from Eu. An erect herb, 1-2½ ft. high, aromatic. It runs into several forms, one of them being var. aureum, Hort., with golden or yellow foliage.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

The subspecies of oregano Origanum vulgare hirtum is an important culinary herb. It is particularly widely used in Greek and Italian cuisines. It is the leaves that are used in cooking, and the dried herb is often more flavourful than the fresh.Template:Fact

It has an aromatic, warm and slightly bitter taste. It varies in intensity; good quality is so strong that it almost numbs the tongue, but the cultivars adapted to colder climates have often unsatisfactory flavour. The influence of climate, season and soil on the composition of the essential oil is greater than the difference between the various species.

The related species Origanum onites (Greece, Asia Minor) and O. heracleoticum (Italy, Balkan peninsula, West Asia) have similar flavours. A closely related plant is marjoram from Asia Minor, which, however, differs significantly in taste, because phenolic compounds are missing in its essential oil. Some breeds show a flavour intermediate between oregano and marjoram.

Propagation

Pests and Diseases

Varieties

There are a number of subspecies of oregano. For example, O. vulgare hirtum (Italian oregano), O. vulgare gracile, as well as cultivars, with each evincing distinct flavours.[1]

Other plants called oregano

Mexican oregano, Lippia graveolens (Verbenaceae) is closely related to lemon verbena. It is a highly studied herb that is said to be of some medical use and is common in curandera female shamanic practices in Mexico and the Southwestern United States. Mexican oregano has a very similar flavour to oregano, but is usually stronger. It is becoming more commonly sold outside of Mexico, especially in the United States. It is sometimes used as a substitute for epazote leaves; this substitution would not work the other way round.

Several other plants are also known as oregano in various parts of Mexico, including Poliomintha longiflora, Lippia berlandieri, and Plectranthus amboinicus (syn. Coleus aromaticus), also called Cuban oregano.

Gallery

References and external links