Origanum vulgare L.

Habit

Perennial herb

Family Description

Herbs,subshrubs or shrubs,often aromatic.Stems usually quadrangular.Leaves simple,rarely pinnatisect or compound,opposite and usually decussate or rarely whorled.Stipules absent.Inflorescence of cymes,often condensed,paired and appearing as whorls(verticillasters),in spike-like,capitate or paniculate arrangements,ocassionally cymes pedunculate and lax,forming a panicle.Bracts caducous or persistent;bracteoles present or absent.Flowers usually hermaphrodite.Calyx usually 5-lobed,bilabiate to regular or oblique.Corolla gamopetalous,regular to zygomorphic,4-5 lobed.Stamens 4,equal or varying in length or 2 with 2 staminodes;anthers 1-or-2-celled.Ovary superior,4-lobed,becoming 4-celled,each locule containing 1 basally attached ovule.Style completely gynobasic(arising from base of ovary between lobes) or only partially gynobasic,2-lobed or rarely punctate.Fruit of 4,usually dry,one-seeded nutlets,included in persistent calyx

Genus Description

Perennial herbs and subshrubs.Leaves petiolate,usually entire.Inflorescence a cluster of terminal corymbose cymes forming a panicle.Bracts obovate to elliptic.Calyx regular,tubular,equally 5-toothed or not.Corolla bilabiate;upper lip 2-lobed;lower lip 3-lobed,slightly longer than upper.Stamens 4,didynamous,anterior pair longer than posterior,included or exserted;anthers 2-celled.Style unequally bifid.Nutlets smooth, ± ellipsoid.

Species description

Rhizomatous,perennial herb, 28-85cm. Stems ± erect. Leaves ovate,1.2-2.2 x 0.7-1.3cm,acute,base rounded,margin usually entire,sparsely villous and with puncate glands;petiole 1-5mm.Bracts obovate to elliptic,c 6 x 3.5mm,purplish. Calyx 2.6-3mm,white-hairy in throat;teeth 5,triangular,c 0.6mm,equal.Corolla pink,6-7mm.Nutlets smooth, ± ellipsoid..

Haa, Thimphu, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar, upper Kuru chu. 2130-3660m