Origanum vulgare
Enable an AI agent to recognise Origanum vulgare, assess a plant or patch, and decide whether and how to cultivate, propagate, conserve or harvest it.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
Researched by: Codex + Grok
Purpose and description
Enable an AI agent to recognise Origanum vulgare, assess a plant or patch, and decide whether and how to cultivate, propagate, conserve or harvest it.
Origanum vulgare is a perennial Lamiaceae herb whose dried leaves and inflorescences are the principal culinary oregano of temperate Eurasia, chemically distinguished by a thymol-carvacrol essential-oil chemotype and a long history of food, medicinal, and ornamental use.
It can be Document diagnostic leaves and flowers and obtain a botanical determination before treating uncertain material as O. vulgare.; Select or adjust a growing position using drainage and light observations; well-drained soil and sun or partial shade are supported cultivation conditions. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/11923/origanum-vulgare/details); Propagate by seed or division while recording parentage, method and establishment outcome. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/11923/origanum-vulgare/details); Plan and record leaf or shoot harvesting using identity, condition, intended use and subsequent regrowth.; Retain flowering portions and monitor insect visitation when managing the plant for wildlife.; Monitor patch expansion and decide whether to retain, divide or contain it using local ecological context..
Distinguishing features
Inspect mature flowers under magnification for a nearly regular, five-toothed calyx with a hairy throat; use a regional Origanum key to separate O. vulgare from sweet marjoram and other congeners. [Kew botanical descriptions](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:453395-1/general-information)
Record the combination of opposite ovate leaves, leaf glands and hairs, and bracted terminal or axillary flower clusters; compare the complete combination with a flora rather than accepting aroma alone. [Flora of New Zealand](https://www.nzflora.info/factsheet/taxon/Origanum-vulgare.html)
Inspect the plant base for perennial persistence and rhizomatous connections; this supports recognition and distinguishes a connected oregano clump from unrelated seedlings, but is not sufficient for species identification. [Flora of New Zealand](https://www.nzflora.info/factsheet/taxon/Origanum-vulgare.html)
Check nursery or collection provenance against floral evidence when distinguishing O. vulgare from O. majorana hybrids; intermediate plants require an unresolved or hybrid determination rather than automatic acceptance of an oregano label. [Kew botanical descriptions](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:453395-1/general-information)
Scope
+ Species identification, identification confidence and evidence for subspecies or cultivar attribution
+ Boundaries between a shoot, rooted plant, connected clump and monitored patch
+ Seasonal development, crown survival, flowering and regeneration
+ Site suitability, plant stress and responses to cultivation
+ Propagation provenance, spread and local ecological interactions
+ Harvest readiness and traceability from plant to removed material
- Other Origanum species, hybrids and unrelated plants traded as oregano
- Dried oregano commodities, seasoning mixtures and their processing specifications
- Essential oils, purified constituents and formulated extracts
- Medical treatments, therapeutic efficacy and dosing
- Whole habitats, pollinator populations and agricultural enterprises
Characteristics
- Botanical determination
- confirmed O. vulgare; provisional O. vulgare; unresolved Origanum; suspected hybrid; excluded Controls whether species-specific actions and claims are justified.
- Infraspecific attribution
- subspecies or cultivar linked to an identification authority, voucher or supplier claim; unknown Keeps named horticultural material distinct without creating another registry thing.
- Observation unit
- shoot; rooted plant; connected clump; patch; propagule Prevents counting multiple stems as independent plants.
- Shoot and leaf dimensions
- shoot height in cm; mature leaf length and width in mm, with sampled position Supports identification and comparison of growth across observations.
- Calyx and bract morphology
- calyx symmetry, tooth count, throat hairs, bract shape and colour; not observed Preserves diagnostic evidence that common names and scent cannot supply.
- Seasonal stage
- establishing; vegetative; budding; flowering; fruiting; senescent; dormant; dead; uncertain Determines the relevance of pruning, propagation and harvest observations.
- Crown and root condition
- viable; damaged; decay suspected; dead; unexamined, with supporting observations Separates recoverable loss of shoots from loss of the perennial plant.
- Root-zone conditions
- soil moisture with method; pH; duration of saturation in hours Provides evidence for irrigation, drainage and site-change decisions.
- Patch extent and recruitment
- area in m²; new rooted shoots and seedlings per defined survey area and interval Tracks persistence and spread without assuming every new shoot came from seed.
- Aromatic profile evidence
- sensory description; laboratory-characterised profile; untested, with tissue and sampling date Separates observed aroma from an unsupported chemical or culinary quality claim.
- Harvest history
- date, removed tissue, fresh mass in g and estimated fraction of leafy shoots removed Connects subsequent recovery with the intensity of previous cutting.
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 6 bundles · 11 layers · 18 findings · 29 questions.
Oregano Identity Establish whether the observed material belongs to the registered species.
An oregano or marjoram label does not establish botanical identity.
Diagnostic Morphology
Capture the organs needed to distinguish this species from nearby alternatives.
Species Determination Evidence
Require a supported determination based on the available vegetative and floral characters.
- Which observed calyx, bract and leaf characters support O. vulgare under the applicable regional key? definition
- Which competing identification remains possible because flowers or other diagnostic organs are missing? boundary
Named Material and Origin
Separate botanical determinations from nursery labels and common names.
Infraspecific and Hybrid Status
Keep subspecies, cultivar and possible hybrid attribution tied to evidence.
- What voucher, identification record or supplier documentation supports the stated subspecies or cultivar? provenance
- Does conflicting morphology or documented parentage require the plant to remain outside confirmed O. vulgare? boundary
Perennial Body and Season Represent the persistent plant beneath changing shoots and flowers.
Shoot counts and above-ground appearance alone can misrepresent plant number and survival.
Plant and Patch Boundaries
Define what is being followed through time.
Rooted Unit Continuity
Distinguish observed connections from assumptions about clonal identity.
- Does this record follow a shoot, rooted plant, physically connected clump or spatially defined patch? boundary
- What evidence connects newly appearing shoots to an existing crown or rhizome rather than seedling recruitment? measurement
Phenology and Persistence
Interpret seasonal shoot loss and renewed growth in their local setting.
Seasonal Stage and Survival
Record developmental stage separately from evidence of whole-plant death.
- Which vegetative, flowering, fruiting or senescent stages are present on the observation date? measurement
- What crown, bud or regrowth evidence distinguishes dormancy or cutback from death? definition
Site Fit and Vigour Connect growing conditions and visible injury to defensible care decisions.
Care must respond to the plant's root environment and recovery capacity.
Root Zone and Exposure
Characterise conditions relevant to establishment and continued growth.
Growing Position Fit
Assess drainage, moisture and exposure against observed plant performance.
- How long does the root zone remain saturated after rain or irrigation, and how was this measured? measurement
- What evidence supports changing irrigation, drainage or position for this plant at its current stage? action
Injury and Recovery
Distinguish symptoms, suspected causes and confirmed diagnoses.
Decline Assessment
Record the distribution and progression of wilting, discoloration, tissue loss or crown damage.
- Which shoots, leaves or crown tissues are affected, and is damage progressing between observations? measurement
- What inspection or diagnostic evidence is needed before attributing decline to drought, saturation, cold, pests or disease? action
Regeneration and Ecological Role Track propagation, recruitment, flowering interactions and spread.
Increasing oregano stock and retaining flowers have consequences for lineage and the surrounding site.
Propagation and Lineage
Preserve the origin and outcome of each propagation attempt.
Propagule Origin and Establishment
Link new plants to source material without assuming that seed offspring retain a cultivar identity.
- Which parent plant or seed accession supplied the material, and what propagation method was used? provenance
- What germination, rooting or new-growth observations demonstrate establishment? measurement
Flowering and Local Spread
Assess the patch as a flowering resource and a source of new growth beyond its boundary.
Flower Retention and Containment
Make retention or containment decisions from observed visitation, recruitment and local status.
- What flower abundance, insect visitation and recruitment beyond the managed boundary have been observed? measurement
- Given documented local status and management objectives, should flowering stems and expanding shoots be retained, cut or contained? action
Aromatic Material and Harvest Connect the living plant to a justified harvest and an identifiable output.
Botanical identity, aromatic properties and suitability of a particular harvest require separate evidence.
Aroma and Sample Evidence
Represent aromatic observations without inventing a fixed chemical profile.
Aromatic Attribution
Keep sensory observations separate from analytical measurements and attach both to sampled tissue.
- Which tissue, developmental stage, date and handling conditions produced the recorded aroma observation or chemical result? provenance
- Is a claimed chemotype supported by an identified analytical method, or is only a sensory description available? definition
Harvest Decision and Handoff
Assess the removal of plant material and preserve its origin after separation.
Harvest Readiness and Recovery
Base harvest decisions on supported identity, plant condition, exposure history and the intended use.
- What identity, treatment-history or contamination uncertainty must be resolved before material is released for the intended use? action
- How much leafy growth will remain, and what subsequent regrowth observation will test whether the cutting intensity was tolerable? action
- Which receiving harvest-lot record preserves the source plant, removed organs, date and quantity? provenance
Evidence and external alignment What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.
A model that cannot be lined up against existing standards, identifiers and practice cannot be adopted by anyone who already uses them.
Reported evidence
Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.
Kinds and varieties
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Origanum vulgare subsp. vulgare (wild marjoram / common oregano of northern and central Europe)
- Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (Greek oregano; high-carvacrol culinary type)
- Origanum vulgare subsp. virens (Iberian / western Mediterranean oregano)
- Origanum vulgare subsp. viridulum (eastern Mediterranean / Balkan green-bracted oregano)
- Origanum vulgare subsp. gracile (eastern Mediterranean, often treated as a distinct wild oregano)
- Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum (North African glandular oregano)
- White-flowered ornamental cultivars (e.g. 'Aureum', compact garden forms)
- Oregano essential-oil chemotypes (carvacrol-dominant vs thymol-dominant vs mixed terpene)
- Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of Origanum vulgare this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Identifiers and schemes
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Wikidata - Q134283 - Wikidata item for Origanum vulgare
- IPNI / Plants of the World Online - urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:453395-1 - Linnaean name Origanum vulgare L., Sp. Pl. 2: 590 (1753)
- WFO / World Flora Online - wfo-0000267054 - Accepted taxon identifier in World Flora Online
- USDA PLANTS - ORVU - PLANTS symbol for oregano as a naturalized herb in North America
- NCBI Taxonomy - 16452 - NCBI taxid for Origanum vulgare
- ITIS TSN - 32631 - Integrated Taxonomic Information System taxonomic serial number
- PhEur / EMA herbal drug - Origani herba - Pharmacopoeial herbal-drug name for the dried flowering aerial parts
- Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of Origanum vulgare this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Standards and regulation
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- European Medicines Agency / HMPC: Community herbal monograph on Origani herba (traditional herbal medicinal product)
- European Pharmacopoeia: origani herba identity, purity and assay specifications for oregano herb
- ISO 7925 (and related ISO spice standards): dried oregano - specification for commercial spice grade, including Origanum vulgare and related Origanum species used as oregano
- Codex Alimentarius / national food-additive and spice regulations: oregano as a culinary herb and as a source of essential oil (flavouring)
- EU Novel Food / traditional-use food law: culinary use of O. vulgare as a food herb is conventional, not novel; concentrated extracts and essential oils are regulated as flavourings or as herbal medicines depending on claim and dose
- CITES: not listed; wild collection of oregano in some Mediterranean countries is subject to national harvest and quality rules rather than CITES
- Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of Origanum vulgare this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Real-world use
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Dried leaf and flower as the everyday culinary oregano of pizza, tomato sauces, grilled meats and Mediterranean seasoning blends
- Fresh culinary herb in gardens and greenhouse production, sold as potted plants and cut bunches
- Steam-distilled essential oil (oregano oil) sold as a flavouring, as a traditional cold remedy, and as a livestock/feed phytogenic
- Herbal tea and traditional medicinal preparations (origani herba) for mild gastrointestinal and respiratory complaints under EU traditional-use rules
- Ornamental perennial in temperate gardens (golden and compact cultivars)
- Source of carvacrol/thymol-rich oil used in food preservation research and as an antimicrobial in animal production
- Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of Origanum vulgare this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Typical measurements
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Plant height (flowering) - 20-80 - cm
- Essential-oil yield of dried herb (steam distillation) - 0.5-4 - % v/w
- Carvacrol in essential oil (Greek / hirtum chemotype) - 50-85 - % of oil
- Thymol in essential oil (common European chemotype) - 5-60 - % of oil
- Drying temperature for culinary herb (to preserve volatiles) - 35-45 - °C
- Chromosome number (typical diploid) - 2n = 30 - count
- Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of Origanum vulgare this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Failure modes and hazards
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Misidentification and adulteration of commercial 'oregano' with Origanum onites, O. majorana, Thymus spp., Satureja, or cheap fillers (olive leaves, sumac, myrtle)
- Essential-oil chemotype mismatch: northern European O. vulgare subsp. vulgare is often low in carvacrol and tastes of wild marjoram rather than Greek oregano
- Phototoxicity and skin/mucosal irritation from undiluted oregano essential oil (high phenol content)
- Gastrointestinal upset and interaction risk when concentrated oil is ingested as a 'natural antibiotic'
- Loss of volatile phenols and flavour if dried above ~45 °C or stored in light and heat
- Invasiveness / naturalization outside the native range (roadsides and disturbed ground in North America)
- Allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals (Lamiaceae / phenolic oils)
- Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of Origanum vulgare this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Regional variation
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- In much of northern and central Europe the plant is called wild marjoram (dost, origan) and used as a milder herb; 'oregano' in commerce usually means Greek O. vulgare subsp. hirtum or Turkish O. onites
- Greek, Turkish and Italian culinary practice treats high-carvacrol Mediterranean oregano as the true pizza/grill herb; Balkan and Italian wild-collected material is often mixed Origanum species
- North American grocery 'oregano' is frequently Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens, Verbenaceae), not O. vulgare
- Spanish orégano can mean O. vulgare, O. virens, or even Thymus/Lippia depending on region
- Pharmacopoeial origani herba in Europe is the flowering aerial parts of O. vulgare, not the Mexican or Cuban substitutes
- Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of Origanum vulgare this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart
Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.
- Origanum majorana (sweet marjoram) - Marjoram has a sweeter, terpinen-4-ol/sabinene-hydrate profile, usually grey-green ovate leaves and a more compact habit; oregano is more pungent, with carvacrol/thymol dominance and typically pinker inflorescences.
- Origanum onites (Turkish / pot marjoram) - O. onites is a distinct species widely sold as Turkish oregano; it is more compact, often white-flowered, and chemically similar (carvacrol-rich) but separated by inflorescence architecture and accepted species rank, not as a subspecies of O. vulgare.
- Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano) - A verbenaceous shrub, not a mint; leaves are typically larger and more serrate, aroma is more citrus-phenolic; distinguished morphologically (opposite mint-family leaves and square stems vs Lippia) and by ITS/barcoding or by the absence of typical Lamiaceae flower structure.
- Thymus vulgaris (thyme) - Thyme is a smaller, often woody subshrub with narrower leaves; both may share thymol/carvacrol chemistry, but thyme inflorescences and leaf morphology (revolute leaf margins, different calyx) separate it, as does culinary use as a distinct spice.
- Satureja hortensis / S. montana (savory) - Savories have a peppery, less 'oregano-pizza' aroma (carvacrol often present but plant habit and calyx differ); leaves are typically linear and the inflorescence is not the dense Origanum spike-like cyme.
- Origanum dictamnus (dittany of Crete) - A woolly, pink-bracted Cretan endemic sold as a separate medicinal/culinary herb; densely tomentose round leaves and hanging hop-like inflorescences distinguish it from common oregano.
- Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of Origanum vulgare this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance
Sources
- Origanum vulgare L. - Accepted scientific name, family Lamiaceae, native range, and subspecies taxonomy as treated by Plants of the World Online.
- Origani herba: Community herbal monograph - EU herbal-medicine identity of origani herba, traditional uses, and regulatory framing under the Herbal Medicinal Products Committee.
- Origanum vulgare L. - oregano - North American naturalized status, common names, and USDA PLANTS symbol used in agricultural and invasive-plant inventories.
- WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants - Herba Origani - Pharmacognostic definition, chemical markers (carvacrol, thymol), and traditional medicinal uses of oregano herb.
What the second pass must settle
- Which regional identification keys and accepted infraspecific treatment should govern difficult O. vulgare determinations, particularly cultivated material and possible O. majorana hybrids?
- What locally validated observations distinguish normal seasonal dieback from crown failure across the climates and cultivation settings this model must serve?
- Which harvest intensities and intervals permit reliable recovery for different growth stages, cultivars and water conditions?
- What sampling and analytical evidence is sufficient to assign an aromatic chemotype, and how stable is that assignment across tissues and seasons?
- Which local distribution, conservation and spread assessments should govern planting, wild collection and containment decisions?