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Origanum x majoricum - Cambess.

Common Name Hardy Marjoram
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range South-western Europe.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Origanum x majoricum Hardy Marjoram


http://www.hear.org/starr/
Origanum x majoricum Hardy Marjoram
http://www.hear.org/starr/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Origanum x majoricum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

The following uses are for O. majorana. They almost certainly also apply to this plant. Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 52]. Sweet marjoram is widely used as a flavouring for salad dressings, vegetables, legumes and oils[7, 14, 27, 61, 171, 238]. It has a more delicate flavour than the closely related oregano (Origanum vulgare), and is best when used fresh and only added towards the end of cooking[238]. The aromatic seeds are used as a flavouring in sweets, drinks etc[183]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[21, 183]. The flavour resembles a blend of thyme, rosemary and sage[183].

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.
Antiseptic  Antispasmodic  Aromatherapy  Carminative  Cholagogue  Diaphoretic  Disinfectant  Emmenagogue  
Expectorant  Stimulant  Stomachic  Tonic

The following uses are for O. majorana. They almost certainly also apply to this plant. The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic[4, 7, 21]. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchial complaints, tension headaches, insomnia, anxiety, minor digestive upsets and painful menstruation[238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. Externally, it is used to treat muscular pain, bronchial complaints, arthritis, sprains and stiff joints[238]. The plant is harvested as flowering begins and can be used fresh or dried. Marjoram is often used medicinally in the form of the essential oil, about 400 grams being obtained from 70 kilos of the fresh herb[4]. The oil is used as an external application for sprains, bruises etc[4]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Muscle relaxant'[210].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Disinfectant  Dye  Essential

The following uses are for O. majorana. They almost certainly also apply to this plant. The leaves and flowers yield 0.3 - 0.4% essential oil by steam distillation[240]. Called 'Oil of Sweet Marjoram', it is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery, soaps, hair products etc[57, 61, 171, 238]. The plant is often used to disinfect bee hives[7].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a rather dry, warm, well-drained soil, but is not fussy as to soil type[18], thriving on chalk[1, 37]. Prefers slightly alkaline conditions[200]. Plants are not hardy in all parts of Britain, they tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c, possibly lower if the roots are given a good mulch in the autumn[238, K]. This species is probably a hybrid between sweet marjoram (O. majorana) and Oregano (O. vulgare). It resembles O. majorana in appearance and aroma, and has the same culinary uses, but is more tolerant of British winters[238]. A good companion plant, improving the flavour of nearby plants[14, 18, 20]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[108]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - this species is a sterile hybrid and so does not produce seed. If you wanted to grow it from seed then you would need to hybridise O. vulgare x O. majorana. The resulting seedlings would be rather variable. 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 (incl. Baleares), Portugal

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 compactum Perennial0.3 -  LMHNDM10 
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 

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

Cambess.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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