[CH] mexican oregano?

peter gaffney (petergaffney@bc.sympatico.ca)
Mon, 08 Feb 1999 21:37:54 -0800 

seems to be more than a few opinions about "just what" mexican oregano
is ...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

this from "Southern Perrenials & Herbs" online plant sellers.
http://www.s-p-h.com/sections-n/herbs/herbs_ho.html
"Lippia graveolens, (Mexican Oregano). Tall, fast growing tender shrub
grown for its
     aromatic leaves. Grows to 5' tall; has tiny white summer flowers.
Zones 8-11."
.....................................................................................................................

"Mexican Oregano:
http://metalab.unc.edu/herbmed/culiher5.html#ch_2_29_4_mexican
From: Chris McElrath <Mcmariah@AOL.COM>
Mexican oregano is a general name for several plants, all of which have
a strong oregano flavor:
Poliomintha longiflora, Lippia graveolens, and Monarda fistulosa var.
menthifolia. These are
probably the most common but there are others.
So, it comes down to: Mexican oregano is a common name which is used for
several different species
that grow in the southwestern US and Mexico. If you can find one, it
probably has more flavor than the
ubiquitous O. vulgare"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

but THIS one is what i believe is most often sold packaged as Mexican
Oregano in
southern California.
at ... http://rampages.onramp.net/~gardens/perenial.htm#polimintha lon.
"Polimintha longiflora MEXICAN OREGANO
1-2 ft. Lavender flowers spring-fall. Deciduous (evergreen in warm
winters). Most well drained alkaline
soils. Sun to Part sun.
This shrubby perennial covers itself with tubular-shaped lavender
flowers all summer long, making it a
good addition to a flower bed. The small leaves are extremely fragrant
with the aroma of oregano
(hence its name), and can be used to flavor meats or beans, so this is
also a good plant for the herb
garden. Its branches can be long and trailing, so it also looks good
draped over a wall or rocks. It is very
drought tolerant and must have good drainage to thrive"
.......................................................................................................

this is a delicious addition to many Mexican foods, but it can be a bit
overpowering in quantities equivalent to true oregano measurements.
i love mexican oregano (Polimintha longiflora) in tacos.
a little experimentation will get the flavor that you like!
regards
peter g