origanum

(əˈrɪɡənəm) n (Plants) any plant of the herbaceous aromatic Mediterranean genus Origanum: family Lamiaceae. See oregano, marjoram, dittany¹[New Latin, from Greek origanon wild marjoram]

Thesaurus

Noun

origanum - any of various fragrant aromatic herbs of the genus Origanum used as seasoningsherb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pestsgenus Origanum - a genus of aromatic mints of the family Labiataemarjoram, oregano, Origanum vulgare, pot marjoram, wild marjoram, winter sweet - aromatic Eurasian perennialknotted marjoram, Majorana hortensis, Origanum majorana, sweet marjoram - aromatic European plant native to Mediterranean and Turkey; not widespread in Europecretan dittany, crete dittany, dittany of crete, hop marjoram, Origanum dictamnus, winter sweet - dwarf aromatic shrub of Crete

Origanum

a genus of plants of the family Labiatae. They are perennial herbs with elongated, ovate leaves and small pink or pinkish-purple flowers in paniculate-cymose inflorescences. There are more than 20 species in Europe (primarily in the Mediterranean area) and Southwest Asia. Five species grow in the USSR; they are widespread in the European part, the Caucasus, and southern Siberia. Wild marjoram (O. vulgare) is found in dry meadows, clearings, and light forests. The herb contains essential oil, tannin, and ascorbic acid. The dried flowers and leaves are used in decoctions for atonia of the intestine and as an expectorant.Origanum is a component of sudorific tea and is also used in baths. The leaves are used as a condiment and a seasoning in food and in the production of liqueurs and vodka. The plant is nectariferous. Animals will not eat Origanum. Sometimes Majorana is included in the same genus, but usually it is considered to be a separate genus.

REFERENCES

Atlas lekarstvennykh rastenii SSSR. Moscow, 1962.
Prianoaromaticheskie rasteniia SSSR i ikh ispol’zovanie v pishchevoi promyshlennosti. Moscow, 1963.

T. V. EGOROVA

origanum

Related to origanum: Origanum dictamnus, Origanum vulgare, Origanum majorana, origanum oil

noun

Words related to origanum

noun any of various fragrant aromatic herbs of the genus Origanum used as seasonings

Related Words

herb
herbaceous plant
genus Origanum
marjoram
oregano
Origanum vulgare
pot marjoram
wild marjoram
winter sweet
knotted marjoram
Majorana hortensis
Origanum majorana
sweet marjoram
cretan dittany
crete dittany
dittany of crete
hop marjoram
Origanum dictamnus