Lippia graveolens
| Lippia graveolens | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Verbenaceae |
| Genus: | Lippia |
| Species: | L. graveolens |
| Binomial name | |
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Lippia graveolens Kunth |
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| Synonyms | |
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Lippia berlandieri Schauer |
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Lippia berlandieri Schauer
Lippia graveolens, a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, is native to the southwestern United States (Texas and southern New Mexico), Mexico, and Central America as far south as Nicaragua. Common names include Mexican oregano, redbrush lippia, orégano Cimmaron, scented lippia, and scented matgrass. The specific epithet is derived from two Latin words: gravis, meaning "heavy", and oleo, meaning "oil". It is a shrub or small tree, reaching 1–2.7 m (3.3–8.9 ft) in height. Fragrant white or yellowish flowers can be found on the plant throughout the year, especially after rains.
The essential oil of Lippia graveolens contains 0-81% thymol, 0-48% carvacrol, 3-30% para-cymene, and 0-15% eucalyptol. The first two components give the plant a flavor similar to oregano, and the leaves are widely used as an herb in Mexico and Central America.
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