Scientific Name:
Origanum vulgare
Pronunciation:
uh-RIG-uh-num vul-GAIR-ee
Common Name:
oregano
Family Name:
Lamiaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Tufted, strongly scented plan with 4-sided stems becoming woody at base; leaves opposite, broadly ovate, most 1.5-3cm long x 1-2cm wide, pubescent with glandular hairs, margin ciliate and entire (rarely serrate), petiole 2-7mm long; flowers 2-lipped, white to pink, ~3mm wide x 5-9mm long, densely arranged in corymb-like clusters of verticillasters.
Habit:
Dense, Spreading, Upright
Form:
Mounded, Oval - horizontal
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Central / west Asia, Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Rocky or gravelly or dry, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low, Summer dry
Landscape Uses:
Alpine, Attract butterflies, Bedding plant, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Dried flower or fruit, Filler, Fragrance, Ground cover, Group or mass planting, Hanging basket, Herb, Perennial border, Small garden/space
Additional Info:
Google.
Cultivars and subspecies shown or on campus may include
O. ‘Aureum' and
O. ‘Aureum Crispum’ (golden oregano), and
O. vulgare ssp. hirtum (Greek oregano). Note: some cultivars may include the marjoram in their common name (not to be confused with sweet marjoram).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Pubescent, Glandular hairs, Distinctive smell
Colour in Fall:
Green
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Obtuse
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Ciliate, Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Verticillaster, Floriferous, Corymb-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Purple, Pink (white to pink)
Flower Scent:
Spicy
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy, Ovary separates into four tiny mericarps or "nutlets" that are enclosed in a persistent calyx
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red, Brown
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Propagation:
Seed, Greenwood cuttings, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids, Fungal leaf spot, Leaf miner insect, Mites, Root rot (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- HORT 1193/1293
- HORT 2355
Location(s):
- (CGW) Community Garden West
- (GAZ) GAZebo
- (GAZN) GAZebo North : q.2
- (PDW) PonD West