Lamiaceae · Prostanthera rotundifolia
Native to: South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania
Also known as: Native Oregano, Native Thyme
A strongly aromatic herb, Native Oregano is a superior native substitute for common oregano. It’s less sweet in flavour with earthier tones and a slightly citric tang. Use it to add flavour in salads, savoury meat dishes, sauces, or steep in hot water to make a fragrant herbal tisane.
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Quick growing and should be pruned back annually by about one third if a bushy shape is to be retained.
Harvest by plucking the leaves and softer stems off the growing plant, or prune whole stalks at a time. Leaves may be used fresh, or chopped and dried for later use — just remember the aroma and flavour in harvested leaves will fade over time.
Propagation is easy from cuttings but seed can be slow to germinate. In areas where the root-rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi is a problem, grafting onto the related Westringia fruticosa is recommended.