Difference between revisions of "Oregano"
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| − | {{ | + | {{SPlantbox |
| − | | | + | |familia=Lamiaceae |
| − | | | + | |genus=Origanum |
| − | | | + | |species=vulgare |
| − | | | + | |common_name=Oregano |
| − | | | + | |habit=herbaceous |
| − | | | + | |Min ht box=30 |
| − | | | + | |Min ht metric=cm |
| − | | | + | |Max ht box=45 |
| − | | | + | |Max ht metric=cm |
| − | | | + | |lifespan=perennial |
| − | | | + | |exposure=sun |
| − | | | + | |water=moderate, dry |
| − | | | + | |features=evergreen, fragrance, edible, drought tolerant |
| − | | | + | |Temp Metric=°F |
| + | |min_zone=5 | ||
| + | |max_zone=10 | ||
| + | |image=Origanum vulgare.JPG | ||
| + | |image_width=240 | ||
| + | |image_caption=Oregano | ||
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'''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”. | '''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”. | ||
| − | == Cultivation | + | == Cultivation == |
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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}} | ||
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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. | ||
| − | + | ===Propagation=== | |
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| + | ===Pests and Diseases=== | ||
| − | === | + | ==Varieties== |
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| − | == Other plants called oregano == | + | === 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. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Gallery== |
| − | + | <gallery> | |
| + | Image:Origanum vulgare 1.jpg | ||
| + | Image:ChristianBauer flowering oregano.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Origanum-vulgare.JPG | ||
| + | Image:Origanum vulgare.jpg|'Nana' dwarf | ||
| + | Image:Lebiodka pospolita.oregano.12days.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Origanum vulgare dry.jpg|Dried oregano in the wild | ||
| + | Image:Oregano.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Dobromysl obecná.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Origanum vulgare1.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Origanum vulgare2 ies.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Origanum vulgare 05 ies.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Origanum vulgare 06 ies.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Origanum vulgare 09 ies.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Oregano1.jpg | ||
| + | Image:Oregano2.jpg | ||
| + | File:Origanum vulgare 2.jpg | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==References and external links== | ==References and external links== | ||
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[[Category:Lamiaceae]] | [[Category:Lamiaceae]] | ||
[[Category:Herbs]] | [[Category:Herbs]] | ||
| − | + | __NOTOC__ | |
Revision as of 17:00, 1 November 2009
| 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 |
| Exposure: | ☼ | sun |
|---|---|---|
| Water: | ◍ | moderate, dry |
| Features: | ✓ | evergreen, fragrance, edible, drought tolerant |
| USDA Zones: | 5 to 10 |
|
Origanum > |
vulgare > |
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 [ὀρίγανον]: oros [ὄρος] “mountain” + the verb ganousthai [γανοῦσθαι] “delight in”.
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
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
'Nana' dwarf
Dried oregano in the wild
