Useful Nova Scotia Plants

Plants

Wild Marjoram

Common name

Wild Marjoram

Latin name

Origanum vulgare

Characters

A fragrant herb, wild marjoram branches only at the top. Finely hairy it bears entire leaves. Flowers are pink or reddish and terminal in a tightly flowered panicle. Plants are colonial forming small patches.

Habit

Herb

Edible Portion

Leaves, fresh or dried

Habitat

Edges of lawns, fields, pastures and roadsides. Naturalized.

Geography

Halifax and Hants counties northward

Used For

Perfect for flavouring tomato sauces much like oregano, which it resembles in scent and flavour.

Cautions

Flavour intensifies with drying. Use less.
Photo: Sean Blaney