Common Name: Wild Savory

General Information

Satureja laxiflora is a slender, sparingly and loosely branched annual, plant, usually growing around 10 - 15cm tall, occasionally to 20cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a condiment and medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

W. Asia - Turkey, the Caucasua, Iraq and Iran

Habitat

Stony slopes, shale taluses, marlaceous limestone; at elevations from 150 - 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Habit	Annual
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus will generally tolerate winter temperatures occasionally falling as low as -10°c[].
Requires a sunny position, thriving in a range of dry to moist soils so long as they are well-drained. Dislikes wet soils and shade[].

Edible Uses

The plant yields 0.1% essential oil which is used for flavouring liqueurs and brandies[].

The aromatic leaves are used in fresh condition as a seasoning in various cooked foods[, ].
The fruits are collected, dried, ground, and kept for winter use as a flavouring[].

Medicinal

The plant is used to heal stomachaches. Both fresh and dried plants are used, and a powder is made of the latter, from which both tinctures and broth are produced[]. The leaves and shoots are also used to treat diabetes and infertility[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is valuable for its late nectar flow; it gives an aromatic honey with a characteristic spicy flavour[].

Other Uses

The plant contains tannin[].

Propagation

Seed - sow mid spring in situ and only just cover[]. Germinates in about 2 weeks. The plant strongly resents root disturbance so do not transplant it. In areas with mild winters an autumn sowing will provide an earlier supply of leaves[].