Erect to spreading shrub to about 1 m tall, often with purple colouring. Leaves broadly ovate, 2-7 cm long,1.5-5 cm wide, with transparent spots below and with a pungent smell when crushed; margin with a few fairly large teeth. Flower clusters mostly simple, 5-12 cm long, with a few large flowers. Flowers 1.5-3 cm long, with a pronounced sac at the base, the upper lip 1-1.5 cm long and wide, mostly mauve.

South Africa

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.