Lippia graveolens, Mexican Oregano, Southwest Desert Flora

Lippia graveolens, Mexican Oregano

Mexican Oregano has small but showy flowers that may bloom year-round with plenty of rainfall. In Texas it blooms from March to November. Lippia graveolens

Mexican Oregano is primarily a Mexican species that extends into the southern tip of Texas. Like many members of the Verbena Family is has a fragrant herb-like aroma. Lippia graveolens

Mexican Oregano is a large shrub that may reach 8 feet or more. Lippia graveolens

Mexican Oregano is also called Redbrush Lippia, Oregano Cimmaron, Scented Lippia and Scented Matgrass. Lippia graveolens

Scientific Name: Lippia graveolens
Common Name: Mexican Oregano
Also Called: Orègano Cimmaron, Redbrush Lippia, Scented Lippia, Scented Matgrass (Spanish: Burro Mariola, Romerillo del Monte, Orègano, Orègano del Burro)
Family: Verbenaceae, Verbena or Vervain Family
Synonyms: ()
Status: Native
Duration: Perennial
Size: Up to 8 feet or more.
Growth Form: shrub;
Leaves: Green; relatively small, oblong.
Flower Color: White or yellowish; flowers small but showy;
Flowering Season: March to November in Texas; throughout the year in Mexico with sufficient rainfall.
Elevation: 0 to 1,200 feet.

Habitat Preferences: Flat desert areas, chaparral communities, slopes and hillsides.

Recorded Range: Lippia graveolens is rare in the United States. It is found only in Texas and reported to be in New Mexico which might be too cold to over-winter. It is also found throughout Mexico.

North America & US County Distribution Map for Lippia graveolens.

U.S. Weed Information: No information available.
Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: No information available.
Wetland Indicator: No information available.
Threatened/Endangered Information: No information available.

Genus Information: In North America there are 3 species and 4 accepted taxa overall for Lippia. World wide, The Plant List includes 191 accepted species names and includes a further 155 infraspecific rank for the genus.

In the Southwestern United States: Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah have 0 species of Lippia, New Mexico has 1 species and Texas has 2 species. All data is approximate and subject to taxonomic changes.

Comments: Lippia graveolens is a semi-tropical plant from Mexico extending into the United States in the extreme southern tip of Texas. It is marginally in New Mexico if at all. The flower are regularly visited by butterflies, bees and other insects. Birds are known to eat the seeds.

As with many members of the Verbena Family, Lippia graveolens also contains essential oil.