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Origanum majorana
  • Sweet Marjoram

a perennial member of the Origanum genus in the family Labiatae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Origanum majorana has 0 edible uses listed
Origanum majorana has 0 material uses listed
Origanum majorana has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked[1][2]. Sweet marjoram is widely used as a flavouring for salad dressings, vegetables, legumes and oils[3][4][5][6][7][8]. It has a more delicate flavour than the closely related oregano (Origanum vulgare), and is best when used fresh and only added towards the end of cooking[8].

The aromatic seeds are used as a flavouring in sweets, drinks etc[9].

A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[10][9]. The flavour resembles a blend of thyme, rosemary and sage[9].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

The leaves and flowers yield 0.3 - 0.4% essential oil by steam distillation[11]. Called 'Oil of Sweet Marjoram', it is used as a food flavouring and in perfumery, soaps, hair products etc[12][6][7][8]. The plant is often used to disinfect bee hives[3].

Unknown part

Disinfectant
Dye
Essential

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Sweet marjoram is mainly used as a culinary herb, but is also medicinally valuable due to its stimulant and antispasmodic properties[13]. It is a good general tonic, treating various disorders of the digestive and respiratory systems. It has a stronger affect on the nervous system than the related oregano (O. vulgare) and is also thought to lower the sex drive[13]. Because it can promote menstruation, it should not be used medicinally by pregnant women though small quantities used for culinary purposes are safe[13].

The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and mildly tonic[14][3][10][11]. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchial complaints, tension headaches, insomnia, anxiety, minor digestive upsets and painful menstruation[8]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[8]. Externally, it is used to treat muscular pain, bronchial complaints, arthritis, sprains and stiff joints[8]. The plant is harvested as flowering begins and can be used fresh or dried. Marjoram is often used medicinally in the form of the essential oil, about 400 grams being obtained from 70 kilos of the fresh herb[14]. The oil is used as an external application for sprains, bruises etc[14][11].

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Muscle relaxant'[15].

Unknown part

Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Aromatherapy
Carminative
Cholagogue
Diaphoretic
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Stimulant
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring at 10 - 13°c and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 4 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.

The seed can also be sown in situ in April or early May and, although it can be slow to germinate, usually does well[14]. Division in March or October. 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 June. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Origanum majorana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a rather dry, warm, well-drained soil, but is not fussy as to soil type[16], thriving on chalk[17][18]. Prefers slightly alkaline conditions[19].

Sweet marjoram is often cultivated as a culinary herb, there are some named varieties[20][9]. Plants do not normally survive the winter outdoors in Britain so they are usually grown as an annual[17][14][4][18]. Another report says that it is possible to overwinter plants in areas with cold winters so long as you apply a thick mulch to the roots[19]. Plants do not often set seed in Britain[K]. A good companion plant, improving the flavour of nearby plants[4][16][21]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[22]. The bruised leaves emit a fragrance somewhat resembling thyme, but somewhat sweeter with balsamic undertones[23]. This is a sacred plant in India[7].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[24].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Origanum majorana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Origanum majorana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Origanum majorana
Genus
Origanum
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Medicinal uses
[13][14][3][10][11][8][15]
Material uses & Functions
[11][12][6][7][8][3]
Botanic
[25][19]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x 0.6 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Majeranek2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Majeranek2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn (1980-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.78.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-9517723-0-9 (1993-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.119.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    20. ? Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    21. ? Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    22. ? International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (1981-00-00)
    23. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    24. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    25. ? Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press (1965-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Origanum_majorana&oldid=78968"
    Facts about "Origanum majorana"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusOriganum +
    Has common nameSweet Marjoram +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Leaves +
    Has edible useSeasoning +, Unknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageMajeranek2.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDisinfectant +, Dye + and Essential +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiseptic +, Antispasmodic +, Aromatherapy +, Carminative +, Cholagogue +, Diaphoretic +, Emmenagogue +, Expectorant +, Stimulant +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageMajeranek2.jpg +
    Has search nameoriganum majorana + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameOriganum majorana +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +