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O R I G A N U M vulgOare.
Common Marjoram.
DID YNAM I A Gyvinofpermia.
G en. Ch a r. Calyces collected, by imbricated braBea,
into a fpicate, quadrangular cone.
Spec. Ch a r. Spikes roundifh, panicled, cluftered,
fmooth. Bradteee ovate, longer than each calyx.
Sy n . Origanum vulgare. Linn. Sp. PI. 824. Sm. FL
Brit. 639. Hudf. 26 2. With. 535. Hull. 134.
Relh. 237. Sibth. 188. Abbot. 13 a. Curt.
Lond. fafc. 5. if. 39. Woodv. Med. Bot. t. 164.
O. vulgare fpontaneum. Rail Syn. 236.
/ V S a grateful and ftimulating aromatic this plant is infinitely
more worthy of notice than the preceding, and accordingly
is retained, at leaft among rural practitioners, as
well as for culinary ufes, though for the latter the more fragrant
0 . Majorana is preferred in the neighbourhood of
London.
0. vulgare grows plentifully on chalky or limeftone foils,
fometimes on gravel, in bufhy or woody places, flowering in
July and Auguft. The roots are perennial, creeping. Stems
fquare, hairy, leafy, purple. Leaves oppofite, ovate, entire,
dotted with glandular fpots. Spikes numerous, in a terminal
duller or head, each confilling of numerous rofe-coloured
flowers, with fmooth entire purple bra&ese, with which laft
colour the calyx is alfo tinged. It cannot be confounded with
any other Britilh plant.
Bees are fond of the flowers. The whole herb has a llrong
fragrant thyme-like fmell, and warm pungent tafte. Our
fpecimen gr-ew at Charlton. The general colours and appearance
of the plant are moll elegant in open places and on a
chalk foil.