Origanum L.
Genus composed of about 56 species, woody at least the base of the stems, although herbaceous in appearance, extending from the Canary Islands to the W up to southern Asia to the E. In North Africa it is represented by 9 species, usually subshrubs of just 40 cm, except 3 species that are considered shrubs up to c. 1 m in height.
Key to species
1 Leaves obtuse, ovate. Calyx 2-2.5 mm. Corolla 4.5-5 mm, lilac O. syriacum
1 Leaves acute, ovate or elliptical. Calyx 2-4 mm. Corolla 4.5-10(11) mm, white, cream, purple or pinkish 2
2 Herbaceous plant in appearance, with branched stems, at least in the upper part. Bracts membranous, green, yellowish-green or purplish. Corolla 4.5-10 mm, 2-2.5 times longer than the calyx Origanum vulgare
2 Subshrubby plant, with simple stems. Bracts coriaceous, purple. Corolla (7.5)9-10.5(11) mm, c. 3 times longer than the calyx O. compactum
Updated by: B. Valdés.