
Oregano de la Sierra
Monardella menthifolia
An attractive herb with small, shiny dark green leaves and lavender flowers appearing in showy pom-pom whorls. The leaves have a bright lemony mintiness when fresh, and when dried are spicily aromatic, giving off a deep, complex, and pungent fragrance of Oregano. Traditional Native American usage includes alleviating colds and influenza, and as a skin wash or tincture for disinfecting wounds. The tea of dried leaves and flowers is tasty, while the leaves dried and pulverized make an oregano-like spice for protein dishes and salad dressings.
Water: Drought Tolerant
Hardiness: Frost Hardy
Habit: Perennial woody subshrub grows to 18" tall
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Any well-draining soil
Origin: North America, Manitoba south to Texas
