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Origanum compactum - Benth.

Common Name
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry hills in S.W. Spain[50].
Range Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Origanum compactum


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Origanum compactum

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Origanum compactum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The dried leaves are used as a condiment[61, 177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a rather dry, warm, well-drained soil, but is not fussy as to soil type, thriving on chalk[1]. Prefers slightly alkaline conditions[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in a greenhouse in early spring at 10 - 13°c and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in March or October. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Basal cuttings of young barren shoots in June. Very easy. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Spain (south) AFRICA: Morocco (north)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Origanum dictamnusDittany Of Crete, Hop MarjoramPerennial0.2 7-9 MLMHNDM21 
Origanum glandulosum Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM10 
Origanum isthmicum Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNDM10 
Origanum majoranaSweet MarjoramPerennial0.6 6-9  LMHSNDM333
Origanum onitesPot MarjoramPerennial0.3 7-10  LMHSNDM312
Origanum syriacumBible HyssopPerennial1.0 7-10  LMHSNDM200
Origanum virens Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNDM10 
Origanum vulgareOregano, Pot MarjoramPerennial0.6 4-10 MLMHSNDM435
Origanum vulgare hirtumGreek OreganoPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNDM433
Origanum x hybridum Perennial0.3 7-10  LMHSNDM10 
Origanum x majoricumHardy MarjoramPerennial0.6 6-9  LMHSNDM223

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Benth.

Botanical References

50

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Dee   Tue Nov 18 2008

is origanum compactum the same as origanum vulgare? im a bit confused and dont seem to find any information. Im looking at it as essential oils, to find out whether they are different and there for would have a different chemical composition. thanks for your answer

david n   Tue Nov 18 2008

This is definately a different species to Origanum vulgare. Don't know about the chemistry/essential oils, I've never seen 2 different species with identical chemistry.

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