Lippia graveolens

Lippia graveolens, a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, is native to the southwestern United States (Texas and southern New Mexico), Mexico, and Central America as far south as Nicaragua.[1] Common names include Mexican oregano, redbrush lippia, orégano Cimmaron, scented lippia,[3] and scented matgrass.[4] The specific epithet is derived from two Latin words: gravis, meaning "heavy", and oleo, meaning "oil".[5] It is a shrub or small tree, reaching 1–2.7 m (3.3–8.9 ft) in height.[2] Fragrant white or yellowish flowers can be found on the plant throughout the year, especially after rains.[3]

"Mexican oregano" redirects here. For other uses, see Oregano § Other plants called "oregano".

Lippia graveolens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Verbenaceae
Genus: Lippia
Species:
L. graveolens
Binomial name
Lippia graveolens
Synonyms

Lippia berlandieri Schauer[2]

Uses

The essential oil of Lippia graveolens contains 0-81% thymol, 0-48% carvacrol, 3-30% para-cymene, and 0-15% eucalyptol. The first two components give the plant a flavor similar to oregano,[2] and the leaves are widely used as an herb in Mexico and Central America.[6]

References
  1. "Lippia graveolens". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  2. Tucker, Arthur O.; Thomas DeBaggio (2009). The Encyclopedia of Herbs: A Comprehensive Reference to Herbs of Flavor and Fragrance (2 ed.). Timber Press. pp. 298–299. ISBN 978-0-88192-994-2.
  3. "Red-brush, Redbrush Lippia, Oregano Cimmaron, Scented Lippia, Hierba Dulce, Romerillo de Monte, Te de Pais, Tarbay Lippia graveolens (L. berlandier)". Benny Simpson's Texas Native Shrubs. Texas A&M University. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  4. "Lippia graveolens Kunth". ITIS Standard Reports. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  5. Gledhill, D. (2008). The Names of Plants (4 ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-521-86645-3.
  6. Duke, James A. (2008). Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of Latin America. CRC Press. pp. 414–415. ISBN 978-1-4200-4316-7.


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