Origanum L.

Harley, R.M. et al. (2004). Labiatae, in The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants (K. Kubitzki, ed. in chief) VI: 167-275. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

Morphology General Habit

Subshrubs or perennial herbs, sometimes gynodioecious, aromatic, branched hairs in o. dictamnus l.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves rather small, entire or toothed, hairy or glabrous, rarely glaucous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence branched, sometimes paniculate to corymbose, spicate or spiciform, spikes elongate to subglobose, erect or nodding, often pedunculate, sometimes lax or few-flowered, or compact

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts imbricate, often showy or brightly coloured

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers subsessile, single, or rarely in 2-8-flowered cymes in axils of all but lowest bracts

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx actinomorphic and 5-lobed to strongly zygomorphic and 5- to 1-lobed: either 2-lipped, 3/2 to 1/2, lobes broadly triangular to lingulate, sometimes reduced, or calyx 1-lipped with posterior lip entire, rounded, bract-like with calyx-tube split almost

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 2-lipped, usually 5-lobed (2/3), white, pink or purple, lobes subequal, tube straight or curved, sometimes ventrally saccate, short or to 3 cm in o. amanum post

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, sometimes reduced or absent, usually unequal, ascending to divergent, anterior longer, usually exserted, posterior exserted to included, thecae divergent to divaricate, distinct

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma-lobes subequal

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disc ± symmetrical

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets ovoid to apiculate, smooth.

Note

2n = 30 (32).  About 40 species. Many hybrids recorded. Ietswaart (1980) recognises 10 sections.

Distribution

Especially Mediterranean, extending through temperate Eurasia and Northern Africa, from Azores to Taiwan.  Introduced to America, Oceania and Russian Far East

Use

Cultivated widely as culinary and medicinal herbs, especially O. vulgare L., O. onites L. and O. majorana L., some ornamental.  Native to: