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Common Name:

General Information

Origanum isthmicum is a Perennial
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. Europe - E. Mediterranean.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

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[]. Prefers slightly alkaline conditions[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are dried, powdered and salted then eaten with bread[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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 early spring or early autumn. 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 early summer. 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.