# Marjoram (*Origanum majorana*)

Marjoram is a fragrant herb with small leaves that is often used in cooking to add flavor to dishes. It has a sweet and mild taste that kids might enjoy exploring.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens, Fields
- **Also known as:** Knotted Marjoram, Sweet Marjoram

![Marjoram](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Origanum_majorana.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Origanum_majorana.jpg)

## Appearance

The Marjoram has small, oval, velvety grey-green leaves arranged in opposite pairs along square stems. It produces clusters of tiny, knot-like buds that open into delicate white or pale pink flowers, which are very small.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Lamiaceae
- **Genus:** Origanum

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Egyptians used marjoram not just for food, but also in perfumes!
- Marjoram’s name may come from a Greek word meaning 'joy of the mountain.'
- Some cultures believed marjoram could protect against bad dreams under a pillow.
- Unlike its cousin oregano, marjoram has a much sweeter, milder, and floral taste.

## Special abilities

- **Aromatic Shield:** Marjoram has special oils in its leaves that give it a strong scent, helping to keep some pests away.
- **Resilient Roots:** Marjoram can grow well even in dry soil, thanks to its sturdy root system that seeks out moisture.
- **Harvest Helper:** Marjoram can be trimmed repeatedly, growing back strong, which helps it provide food for a longer time.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-60 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Painted Lady Butterfly (*Vanessa cardui*) — Feeds on nectar, aiding plant reproduction.
- **Eaten by:** Two-spotted Spider Mite (*Tetranychus urticae*) — Can sometimes feed on marjoram leaves.

## Traits

- [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Spice](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spice): This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents.
- [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.

## Collections

- [Herbs](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/herbs)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Marjoram is safe to touch and smell, but should not be eaten without adult supervision.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Marjoram?

Compare leaf shape and arrangement, stem structure, flowers and growth habit. Some poisonous plants look a lot like kitchen herbs, so looks alone never prove a plant is safe to eat. Herb Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Marjoram?

30-60 cm

### How wide does Marjoram spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Marjoram?

0.3-0.5 cm

### When does Marjoram bloom?

Summer

### Is Marjoram edible?

Yes

### Is Marjoram toxic?

None

### What is Marjoram's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Marjoram: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/marjoram)