Marjoram

For other uses, see Marjoram (disambiguation).
Marjoram
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Origanum
Species: O. majorana
Binomial name
Origanum majorana
L.[1]
Growing tip with flower buds
Dried marjoram herb for flavoring

Marjoram /ˈmɑːrdʒərəm/[2] (Origanum majorana, syn. Majorana hortensis Moench, Majorana majorana (L.) H. Karst[3]) is a somewhat cold-sensitive perennial herb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavors. In some Middle Eastern countries, marjoram is synonymous with oregano, and there the names sweet marjoram and knotted marjoram are used to distinguish it from other plants of the genus Origanum. It is also called pot marjoram,[4] although this name is also used for other cultivated species of Origanum.

History

The name marjoram (Old French majorane, Medieval Latin majorana) does not directly derive from the Latin word maior (major).[5] Marjoram is indigenous to Cyprus and southern Turkey, and was known to the Greeks and Romans as a symbol of happiness.

Description

Leaves are smooth, simple, petiolated, ovate to oblong-ovate, 0.5–1.5 cm (0.2–0.6 inches) long, 0.2–0.8 cm (0.1–0.3 inches) wide, with obtuse apex, entire margin, symmetrical but tapering base, and reticulate venation. The texture is extremely smooth due to the presence of numerous hairs.[6]

Cultivation

Marjoram (Origanum majorana) essential oil

Considered a tender perennial (USDA Zones 7-9),[7] marjoram can sometimes prove hardy even in zone 5.

Marjoram is cultivated for its aromatic leaves, either green or dry, for culinary purposes; the tops are cut as the plants begin to flower and are dried slowly in the shade. It is often used in herb combinations such as herbes de Provence and za'atar. The flowering leaves and tops of marjoram are steam-distilled to produce an essential oil that is yellowish in color (darkening to brown as it ages). It has many chemical components, some of which are borneol, camphor, and pinene.


Oregano (Origanum vulgare, sometimes listed with marjoram as Origanum majorana) is also called wild marjoram. It is a perennial common in southern Europe in dry copses and on hedge-banks, with many stout stems 30–80 centimetres (12–31 in) high, bearing short-stalked, somewhat ovate leaves and clusters of purple flowers. It has a stronger flavor than marjoram.

Pot marjoram or Cretan oregano (Origanum onites) has similar uses to marjoram.

Hardy marjoram or French marjoram, a cross of marjoram with oregano, is much more resistant to cold, but is slightly less sweet. Origanum pulchellum is known as showy marjoram or showy oregano.


Uses

Marjoram is used for seasoning soups, stews, dressings, and sauces.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Origanum majorana information from NPGS/GRIN". ars-grin.gov. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
  2. ↑ "Marjoram" in the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
  3. ↑ "Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)". Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  4. ↑ "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  5. ↑ Marjoram, Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, November 2001
  6. ↑ BP Pimple, AN Patel, PV Kadam, MJ Patil. Microscopic evaluation and physicochemical analysis of Origanum majorana Linn leaves. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease 2, S897-S903. http://www.apjtcm.com/zz/2012s2/71.pdf
  7. ↑ Learn 2 Grow: Origanum majorana
  8. ↑ M. G. Kains (1912). American Agriculturist, ed. Culinary Herbs: Their Cultivation Harvesting Curing and Uses (English). Orange Judd Company.
Wikispecies has an entry on: Origanum majorana.

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