Erect perennial herbs. Leaves opposite, mostly toothed, sometimes entire. Flowers either solitary in leaf axils or in spike-like terminal clusters. Calyx regular, 5-lobed, mostly 10-nerved, slightly inflated in fruit. Corolla 2-lipped, upper lip erect, more or less entire, lower lip 3-lobed. Stamens 4, in 2 pairs, slightly protruding if at all. Fruit of 4 3-angled nutlets.

Grown in the border for the attractive flower spikes. The 'obedience' of the common name refers to the unusual character of the flowers, which can be twisted around and remain in their new position (catalepsy).

Division and seed.

Calyx 5- or 10-nerved, inflated in fruit.

12 species from N America.

Cantino (1982).

Source: Lumley, P. (2002). Origanum. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.