2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Origanum (lat. Origanum) - winter-hardy drought-resistant perennial, which is a member of the Yasnotkovye family. Its second name is oregano.
Description
Origanum can be both a perennial and a semi-woody plant, the height of which can vary from ten centimeters to one meter. Branched rhizomes of origanum are most often creeping, and its soft pubescent tetrahedral stems are usually erect and branching in the upper part.
The petiolate opposite leaves of origanum are characterized by an oblong-ovoid shape and slightly pointed at the tops. The length of these leaves ranges from one to four centimeters, while at the top they are dark, and at the bottom they are painted in grayish-greenish shades.
Numerous small origanum flowers form beautiful corymbose-paniculate inflorescences. Two-lipped corollas consist of five petals - when fused together, these petals form both corolla tubes and two-lipped limbs. In this case, the upper lip always grows together from only two petals, and to form the lower lip, three petals are used.
In total, the genus Origanum has about eight species.
Where grows
Origanum is most often found in Europe, North America and Asia. By the way, on the territory of Russia, this plant grows almost everywhere, with the exception of perhaps the Far North. Most often, origanum can be seen growing on the slopes of hills, in open dry grassy areas, as well as in the middle of shrubs, on the edges and in clearings.
Usage
Organum is most actively used for decorative purposes. Growing rapidly, this amazing plant forms quite dense, spectacular clumps. Origanum can be safely planted together with various steppe plants, in addition, lyatris, gypsophila and mint will be excellent partners for it. Origanum is especially often cultivated in France and the USA.
Origanum is widely used for aromatherapy purposes. In order for the mood to be good even on cloudy days, it is enough to plant a few origanum bushes in your garden and, each time passing by, lightly touch them with your hands.
And origanum tea boasts the ability to normalize digestion, as well as relieve headaches, fatigue and stress.
Growing and caring
Origanum will grow best in sunny areas with dry and moisture-permeable soils. The soils must be sufficiently loose and thoroughly cleaned of weeds! In general, this plant is undemanding to soils, however, origanum will grow extremely unimportantly on acidic or heavy clay soils.
To keep the soil loose, it is necessary from time to time to loosen it in the rows, as well as to cultivate the row spacings. As a rule, the first inter-row cultivation is carried out at the beginning of the growing season in early spring, and all subsequent treatments are carried out as needed. But after mowing, such processing must be done again! And under it, as well as under the very first spring treatment, it is necessary to apply high-quality mineral fertilizers.
Origanum is watered only in case of lack of moisture. And the most effective are post-harvest irrigation - they will in every possible way contribute to a more harmonious and harmonious regrowth of aboveground parts of plants.
Organum reproduces mainly by dividing the bushes in the spring. It is quite permissible to carry out its reproduction by seeds - they are sown in cold greenhouses or ridges either in early spring or in autumn.
