kids encyclopedia robot

Lippia graveolens facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Lippia graveolens
Lippia graveolens, known as Mexican Oregano (11628265214).jpg
Scientific classification
Genus:
Lippia
Species:
graveolens
Synonyms

Lippia berlandieri Schauer

Lippia graveolens, a species of flowering plant in the verbena or vervain family, Verbenaceae, is native to the southwestern United States (Texas and southern New Mexico), Mexico, and Central America as far south as Nicaragua. Common names include: Mexican oregano, redbrush lippia, orégano cimarrón ('wild oregano'), scented lippia, and scented matgrass. The specific epithet is derived from two Latin words: gravis, meaning 'heavy', and oleo, meaning 'oil'. It is a shrub or small tree, reaching 1–2.7 m (3.3–8.9 ft) in height. Fragrant white or yellowish flowers can be found on the plant throughout the year, especially after rains.

Uses

The essential oil of Lippia graveolens contains 0-81% thymol, 0-48% carvacrol, 3-30% para-cymene, and 0-15% eucalyptol. The first two components give the plant a flavor similar to oregano (to which it is not closely related), and the leaves are widely used as an herb in Mexico and Central America.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lippia graveolens para niños

kids search engine
Lippia graveolens Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.