Mexican Oregano

Does anyone know where to buy seed for Mexican oregano? All of my seed catalogs list only Greek oregano. Thanks in advance for your time.

There are two that are commonly called Mexican oregano.
Poliomintha longiflora http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2586/
Lippia palmeri http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/98567/
I don't have seed but wondered which one you were searching for?

I'm looking for something to cook with, as in when the recipe says "Mexican oregano". All of the supermarkets in AZ carry the little cellophane bags of it, with the dried chilies and such, but I never see anything called "Mexican oregano" in seed catalogs (it's not even in the Native Seeds/SEARCH catalog). I'm guessing supermarkets in Texas carry it, too, given the popularity of Tex-Mex cuisine. Thanks much for the two links; I'll research them and see if I can decide if either link leads to an answer.

Please let me know what you find and I will look further also.

Hello Podster (I guessing you're a chile person? Or an alien?). This is somewhat frustrating. Your links did get me searching the web and I can now testify that there is a whole lotta confusion going on. I have yet to find seed, but I did find at least one source (http://www.morningsunherbfarm.com, from your "...2586" link) that sells plants, both P. longiflora and L. graveolens). My best guess is that the one called Lippia graveolens is the one most commonly sold in supermarkets as "Mexican oregano" and which may or may not be Lippia palmeri. The one called Poliomintha longiflora might, and I stress "might", be more correctly called P. bustamanta). I found a number of sources, some culinary instead of botanical, that say that that there are a number of plants that could be called "Mexican oregano" and that, indeed, several plants are used as "oregano" in Mexico. Another source asserts that oregano should be thought of as a flavor rather than as a particular plant as there are so many plants that carry the chemical compound we identify as oregano. I also found more than one source that claimed that the plant is typically propagated by cuttings rather than seed, which could explain my inability to find seed. Thanks for the links you provided and, if you find more info, please let me know. It's become a personal mission/obsession now... I WILL plant something (accurately) called "Mexican Oregano" in my garden next summer!!!!

Yes... I think you are correct. From what I have read it will be plants, not seeds.

From Southern Herb Growing " Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is a perennial member of the verbena family and is native to Mexico. It has naturalized along the Texas Mexico border and found its' way into border cuisine. From there its' use has spread throughout the South and is available in many plant and seed catalogs. (their comment ~ not mine) ... It is not a pretty plant but is easy to grow and has good oregano flavor. Also sometimes called Mexican oregano is Poliomintha longiflora, a lovely shrubby perennial."

Under Poliomintha " P. longiflora is a strong smelling, oreganolike plant that is popular in the Monterrey, Laredo and San Antonio areas of Mexico and Texas. ... Along with Lippia graveolens, it is sometimes called Mexican oregano and its' leaves may be used in cooking."

I wonder if the one you are encountering in the stores is Poliomintha longiflora. And I found a couple of online sights that sell it in plant form which I will have next summer. I was given a start of this one last summer but it was small and didn't survive my care. I will keep it potted next time so I can control the growing conditions. I did like the odor of it. I have not seen nor smelled the L graveolens but have had a couple of the other Lippias ~ L dulcis and L alba.

Still looking here...

Year Round Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers for Metro Houston has these little blurbs about these two plants.

Oregano, Mexican verbena (Lippia graveolens) Hardiness type: not cold, perennial. Needs dry, sandy soil without fertilizer. Commercial source of oregano. Returns from root usually after freeze damage. White flowers all summer.

Oregano, Mexican mint (Poliomintha longiflora) Hardiness type: all weather. Evergreen perennial with hummingbird attracting beautiful tubular lavender flowers blooming all summer. Hot peppery leaves.

Here's a link that discusses P longiflora vs P bustamanta: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/salvia/msg0822282115179.html

Thanks for that link... I had forgotten the oreganos are kin to the mints.

The only Mexican oregano I have seen photos of are the lavender bloomers ~ longifolia (?) I am guessing.

There are certainly many others there to research and lust after.

I can't help but feel like a dog chasing my tail. lol

Companion Plants is a terrific mail order herb nursery and they carry Mexican Oregano - Lippia graveolens. I grew it this year and it is definitely resinous deliciousness!

Here's another link that describes oreganos: http://www.herbsociety.org/factsheets/oregano.pdf. The "parent link", http://www.herbsociety.org/, looks like a good herb resource site.

You folks are determined to get me in trouble this early in winter. LOL
Companion plants has a diverse selection. I will definitely have to patronize them.
Off to look at the herb society link. Thanks, I think.

No wonder there may be confusion:

"within the Mexican oregano family, there seem to be many regional varieties – according to the Mexican food expert, Diana Kennedy, who researched the herb at the Botanical Garden of the National University of Mexico, there are at least 13,all of which have different leaves, perfume and flavor."

Diana Kennedy is the "Julia Childs" of authentic Mexican cookery. I had her cookbook but since I moved I cannot find it!! :(