Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
Mexican oregano
Family Name:
Verbenaceae
Botanical Name:
Lippia graveolens
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Mexican oregano is a low-water use, fast growing evergreen shrub that can reach 2 m (6ft) tall by 2 m (6ft) wide (2, 3). It produces small green, oblong shaped leaves. In late spring to early summer it produces white to yellow flowers, which when pollenated form a fleshy drupe (3).
Compound:
lip gra
Geographic Origin:
Southwest US
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Desert
Natural History:
Mexican oregano is a semi-tropical plant native to Northern Mexico and distributed naturally into southern portions of Texas (2). It commonly grows in flat, desert areas as well as in chaparral environments and on hillsides at elevations from 0-400 m (0-1200ft). Texas appears to be the northern most limit unless grown in regions with warm winters (zone 9). Its full range extends south into Southern tip of North American and into Central America to Costa Rica.
Cultivation Notes:
Mexican oregano grows in full sun, with very little water use in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. It can tolerate a range of soil textures from rocky, gravelly, sandy, sandy loam, and clay loam (1) as well as soils with high pH (limestone) and caliche (2). However, while this plant can grow in dry or moist soil, it grows best in well-drained soils, mildly acidic and neutral soil pH (3). It also strongly prefers full sun as it does not grow well in the shade (3)
Ethnobotany:
Mexican oregano is a popular, showy ornamental plant. Like many species in Verbenaceae, it also produces fragrant essential oils (2) that add to its popularity in cultivation. In addition to its ornamental appeal, it also supports nectar-butterflies, bees, insects, and seed-eating birds (1,3). The leaves are edible to humans (1). The leaves emit a strong, more pungent than European oregano (Origanum vulgare), oregano-like fragrance and are used in Central America to flavor sauces and dishes (3). The dried leaves can be used to make a herbal tea (3).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
White
Function:
Screen
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
