Mexican oregano

English

Noun

Mexican oregano (usually uncountable, plural Mexican oreganos)

1. A Mexican shrub, Lippia graveolens, not closely related to true oregano, but with leaves that smell and taste like like it.
2. A Mexican shrub, Poliomintha longiflora, with leaves that smell and taste like oregano
3. A Mexican and southwestern-US herb related to bee balm, Mt. Pima oregano, Monarda austromontana, which smells and tastes like oregano

Usage notes

• Lippia graveolens is by far the best-known and most commercially-important Mexican oregano, but this is the most common name used for Poliomintha longiflora. Monarda austromontana is mostly referred to in English as Mt. Pima oregano.