− | '''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''. |
| + | 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. |
| + | 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> |