Erect slightly aromatic shrub to 4 m tall. Leaves narrowly ovate to ovate, 0.5-4 cm long, 3-10 mm wide, leaf bases running down the stem; margins entire to wavy, flat or slightly bent under. Flowers in terminal clusters. Calyx tube 1-2 mm long. Corolla 0.5-1 cm long, mauve to deep purple, rarely pink or white; spring to early summer.

Qld, NSW, Vic

A widely cultivated and variable species with many forms in cultivation.

Garden plants may be found with compact habit or variegated leaves, and flowers may be white or pink as well as mauve.

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.