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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano)
Anderson, Wynn

Lippia graveolens

Lippia graveolens Kunth

Mexican Oregano, Redbrush Lippia

Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: LIGR6

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This species is a member of the verbena family (family Verbenaceae), which includes about 75 genera and 3,000 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees, mostly of tropical and warm temperate regions. Among them, teak is a highly prized furniture wood, and Vervain, Lantana, Lippia or Frog Fruit, and Chase Tree or Vitex are grown as ornamentals.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 8 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: White to yellowish.

Distribution

USA: NM , TX
Native Habitat: Flat desert areas, Chaparral & brush country, Hillsides, Slopes

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky, Limestone-based, Caliche type, Gravelly, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam Clay Loam Clay

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy, Aromatic, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-bees, Nectar-insects, Seeds-granivorous birds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Naval Air Station Kingsville - Kingsville, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 75 - Southwest Desert Flora (2020) Southwest Desert Flora
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Lippia graveolens in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lippia graveolens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lippia graveolens

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-16
Research By: TWC Staff

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