Oregano de la Sierra (Monardella odoratissima), potted plant, organic

Family:  Mint (Lamiaceae)

Perennial, Hardy to Zones 3 to 9

(Mountain Beebalm) Perennial miniature woody subshrub native to North America, occurring from Manitoba to Texas–mainly in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains and American Southwest.  Flowers lavender in showy globular whorls, sometimes as many as 3 to a stem, to 18 inches tall.  Does well on a dry, rocky and sunny exposure–scree slopes, path, roadside or full-sun garden bed. The leaves give off a bright lemony mintiness when fresh and when dried, are spicily aromatic, attaining the fragrance of Oregano–deep, complex and pungent.  Traditional usage (Native American, TWM): Diaphoretic, emmenagogue, colds and influenza, skin wash or tincture for disinfecting wounds.   Source of anxiolytic rosmarinic acid and antiseptic carvacrol.  The tea of dried leaves and flowers is tasty, while the leaves dried and pulverized really do make a very credible spice for protein dishes and salad dressings.  Space plants 2 feet apart.

Potted plant, Certified Organically Grown