Origanum vulgare hirtum - (Link.)Iets.
(Link.)Iets.
Greek Oregano
gbif· cc-by-nc
Sophia Gazi
gbif· cc-by-nc
Christian Gilli
gbif· cc-by-nc
Christian Gilli
Description
Origanum vulgare hirtum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Edible Uses
Condiment. Leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb. Oregano is an important flavouring herb in Mediterranean cookery, and is often used dried rather than fresh. This sub-species has a much stronger flavour than the type. The leaves are used as a flavouring for salad dressings, vegetables and legumes, and are frequently included in strongly flavoured dishes with chillies, garlic, onions etc[2, 13, 21, 27, 183, 238]. A nutritional analysis is available. Much of the commercially available dried oregano does not come from this plant but from a number of different, often unrelated plants. These include Lippia graveolens, L. palmeri and Origanum syriacum. A herb tea is made from the dried leaves and flowering stems.
Medicinal Uses
Antiseptic Antispasmodic Carminative Cholagogue Diaphoretic Emmenagogue Expectorant Stimulant Stomachic Tonic. Oregano has been used as a culinary and medicinal herb for thousands of years. It has a beneficial effect upon the digestive and respiratory systems and is also used to promote menstruation. It should not be used medicinally by pregnant women though it is perfectly safe in small amounts for culinary purposes. The leaves and flowering stems are strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, mild feverish illnesses, indigestion, stomach upsets and painful menstruation. It is strongly sedative and should not be taken in large doses, though mild teas have a soothing effect and aid restful sleep. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women. Externally, oregano is used to treat bronchitis, asthma, arthritis and muscular pain. The plant can be used fresh or dried - harvest the whole plant (but not the roots) in late summer to dry and store for winter use. Oregano is often used in the form of an essential oil that is distilled from the flowering plant. A few drops of the essential oil, put on cotton wool and placed in the hollow of an aching tooth, frequently relieves the pain of toothache. This plant is one of the best natural antiseptics because of its high thymol content. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to treat the same kinds of complaints that the herb is used for.
Distribution
S. Europe - Greece.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: Anhui Sheng, Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Ciscaucasia, Cyprus, Dagestan, Eastern Siberia, Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Georgia, Guangdong Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Iran, Iraq, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia, Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Taiwan, Turkey, Western Siberia, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng,Afghanistan. TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal, Pakistan, EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic and Slovakia), Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation-European part, European part (south), Estonia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal, AFRICA: Spain, Canarias, Portugal, Madeira Islands, Algeria (north), Morocco, Tunisia.
Cultivation
Requires a rather dry, warm, well-drained soil in full sun, but is not fussy as to soil type, thriving on chalk. Prefers slightly alkaline conditions. Tolerates poor soils. Dislikes wet soils. Often cultivated as a culinary herb, this is a sub-species from Greece, its flowers are white and it has a stronger fragrance. It is more commonly grown commercially because of its stronger fragrance. There are some named forms. Plants growing near the sea have the most fragrance. A good companion plant, improving the flavour of nearby plants. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies. A good companion for the cucumber family, it is beneficial to all nearby plants. The whole plant is strongly aromatic. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Oregano is typically harvested in late spring to summer, just before the plant begins to flower. Oregano generally flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. Oregano grows relatively quickly, reaching maturity in about 2-3 months under optimal conditions. Oregano is self-fertile.
Propagation
Seed - sow early spring at 10 - 13°c and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late spring. Division in March or October. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Basal cuttings of young barren shoots in June. Very easy. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Other Uses
Dye Essential Repellent Agroforestry uses: Oregano can be used as a companion plant, helping to attract beneficial insects and improving the overall health of surrounding plants. It may also help deter certain pests. An essential oil from the plant is used as a food flavouring, in soaps and perfumery. A red or purple dye is obtained from the flowering tops, it is neither brilliant nor durable. The plant repels ants. A useful ground cover for sunny positions, forming a slowly spreading clump.
