Plant Profile

Origanum syriacum (Wild Marjoram, Syrian Oregano, Bible Hyssop)

Origanum syriacum is a perennial shrub, with small hairy oblong-ovate leaves with a pleasant "Thyme-like" smell. It is a 60 to 80 cm height plant. The small hairy leaves covering its multiple stems give the whole plant a grayish appearance and help the plant withstand drought conditions. It bears on its upper branches dense spikes of small, white flowers.

Origanum syriacum grows wild in the Lebanese mountains and can be found everywhere in rocky places from the North to the South and at different altitudes. Origanum is used widely in the Lebanese cuisine,  raw or cooked, and is commonly found in Lebanese stores and homes. It is a very important plant as far as its economic use is concerned. Recently and due to its economic importance to Lebanon, Origanum syriacum is being cultivated to cover the needs of the local market.

Origanum syriacum requires a dry, warm, well drained, non fussy soil. Prefers slightly alkaline conditions. Other than the culinary usage, zaatar can be used in mass plantation, perfect for xeriscaping.

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  • Botanical Description
  • Horticulture Management
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  • By Gidip (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Eitan f (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • By Eitan f (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Gidip (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Malte (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Eitan f (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • By Eitan f (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Gidip (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Malte (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Eitan f (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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