Za'ater

There are 20 species of perennials and subshrubs in this genus, which is distributed through Eurasia, with various species found in S Europe, Crete, and N Africa. Most are grown as ornamentals for their attractive, aromatic foliage and purple-pink to white flowers, which in certain species are surrounded by conspicuous bracts. They vary in habit and cultural requirements. Some are bushy perennials suitable for border; others are arching to prostrate subshrubs, which are best grown on an elevation or in containers. All dislike winter wet and poor air circulation; Origanum dictamnus is especially sensative, and in areas with wet winters is usually grown in the alpine house. Marjorams are mainly used as culinary herbs, but are rich in flavonoids and volatile oils, notably carvacol and thymol, which have medicinal applications. Origanum dictamnus was a revered herb in ancient times as is mentioned in many Classical texts as a miraculous healing herb and ingredient of Mithridates' antidote to poisons. Theophrastus (370-285BCE) wrote, in his Enquiry into Plants, the O. dictamnus "is marvelous in virtue and is useful for many purposes, but especially for women in childbirth". It is no longer widely used medicinally, perhaps because it is rare in the wild and not as easy to cultivate as most other origanums. Wild plants are protected but there are commercial plantations in Crete, and dittany tea remains popular on the island, especially after meals. Origanum vulgare is extremely variable in both appearance and chemical composition. In addition, plants in warm dry regions have a more pungent flavor than those that grow in cooler northern parts. To complicate the picture, O. vulgare hybridizes readily in cultivation, giving rise to plants that often cause confusion over identification and naming. According to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, hybrids between O. majorana and O. vulgare must be called O. x majoricum. However they are often incorrectly given as O. x applii. Confusion also occurs over the name O. heracleoticum L. is a synonym of O. vulgare subsp. viride It should also be noted that the common name "winter marjoram" is applied to O. onites in the USA and to O. vulgare subsp. hirtum in the UK. Overall, O. vulgare contains a higher portion of thymol than O. majorana, which gives it a more thyme-like aroma. Although several species of Origanum are known as "Oregano", commercial dried oregano is produced from several different, unrelated plants. Sources include Lippia graveolens (See, Mexican Oregano) and L. palmeri, O. vulgare subsp. hirtum (winter marjorum) from Greece and Turkey, and the Middle Eastern O. syriacum, as well as from O. vulgare itself. Much commercial oregano oil is from conehead thyme (Thymus capitatus, See, Conehead Thyme). The Arabic word for oregano is za'ater. This team is also used for a spice mixture containing the ground berries of sumach (Rhus coriaria), roasted sesame seeds, salt, and za'ater leaves of some kind, which may be from O. syriacum, Satureja thymbra, Thymbra spicata, or Thymus captiatus. Za'ater is often mixed with olive oil and spread on bread. The word origanum comes from the Greek origanon, meaning "Bitter Herb".

Subshrub with stiff, erect, hairy stems and blunt, ovate leaves, to 3.5cm (1¼in) long. Oblong spikes of purple-pink flowers with woolly bracts are produced in panicles from late spring to autumn.

Common Name:	Za'ater
Other Names:	Syrian Oregano, Bible Hyssop
Botanical Name:	Origanum syriacum syn. O. maru
Genus:	Origanum
Family:	Lamiaceae
Cultivation:	Well-drained to dry, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Origanum dictamnus needs sharp drainage and protection from wet winters. Orgianum majorana, O. x majoricum, and O. onites may be slightly hardier in a sheltered, sharply drained situation.
Propagation:	By seed sown in autumn or at 10-13°C (50-55°F) in spring (species only); by basal cuttings in late spring; by division in spring.
Harvest:	Plants are collected as flowering begins, and leaves during the growing season, and sued fresh, distilled for oil, or dried for infusions.
Native Location:	Syria
Height:	45-90cm (18-36in)
Width:	30-45cm (12-18in)
Hardiness:	Z8
Parts Used:	Leaves, Flowering tops
Properties:	An aromatic herb with a thyme-oregano flavor.
Culinary Uses:	An important ingredient of Za'ater (see Above description)
Economic Uses:	Leaves and flowering sprigs are added to potpourris and scented articles.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 295-296