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{{Taxobox

{{SPlantbox

| color = lightgreen

|familia=Lamiaceae

| name = Oregano

| image = ChristianBauer flowering oregano.jpg

|species=vulgare

| image_width = 240px

|common_name=Oregano

| image_caption = Flowering oregano

|habit=herbaceous

| regnum = [[Plant]]ae

|Min ht box=30

| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]

|Min ht metric=cm

| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]

|Max ht box=45

| ordo = [[Lamiales]]

|Max ht metric=cm

| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]

|lifespan=perennial

| genus = ''[[Origanum]]''

|exposure=sun

| species = '''''O. vulgare'''''

|water=moderate, dry

| binomial = ''Origanum vulgare''

|features=evergreen, fragrance, edible, drought tolerant

| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]

|Temp Metric=°F

|min_zone=5

|max_zone=10

|image=Origanum vulgare.JPG

|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'' [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 and uses ==  

== Cultivation ==  

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}}

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.

 

===Health benefits===

==Varieties==

== 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.

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==

==Gallery==

*[[Za'atar]]

Image:Origanum vulgare.jpg|'Nana' dwarf

==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'']

*{{wplink}}

{{Commons|Origanum vulgare}}

{{Herbs & spices}}

[[Category:Lamiaceae]]

[[Category:Lamiaceae]]

[[Category:Herbs]]

[[Category:Herbs]]