Oregano

Appearance

Oregano is a perennial, although it is grown as an annual in colder climates, as it often does not survive the winter.

It grows to 90 centimetres tall and 50 cm wide. The leaves are spade-shaped and olive-green. The flowers are purple, pink or white, 4–7 cm long and grouped in clusters.

Oregano is related to the herb marjoram, sometimes being referred to as wild marjoram.

Naming

The English word "oregano" is a borrowing of the Spanish, which derives from the Latin, which itself comes from Classical Greek. The ultimate origin is disputed; some claim it is a compound Greek term that consists of meaning "mountain", and meaning "joy", thus, "joy of the mountain" while "The Oxford English Dictionary" states it is "probably a loanword [as] the plant comes from Africa".Accepted subspecies:
# "O. v." subsp. "glandulosum" Ietsw. – Tunisia, Algeria
# "O. v." subsp. "gracile" Ietsw. has glossy green leaves and pink flowers. It grows well in pots or containers, and is more often grown for added ornamental value than other oregano. The flavor is pungent and spicy. – Central Asia, Iran, India, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan.
# "O. v." subsp. "hirtum" Ietsw. – is a common source of cultivars with a different aroma from those of "O. v. gracile". Growth is vigorous and very hardy, with darker green, slightly hairy foliage. Generally, it is considered the best all-purpose culinary subspecies. – Greece, Balkans, Turkey, Cyprus
# "O. v." subsp. "virens" Ietsw. – Iberian Peninsula, Macaronesia, Morocco
# "O. v." subsp. "viridulum" Nyman – widespread from Corsica to Nepal
# "O. v." subsp. "vulgare" – widespread across Europe + Asia from Ireland to China; naturalized in North America + Venezuela

Uses

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