Origanum sp.
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Origanum sp. is a non-native California perennial in the Lamiaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Thymus: Origanum has overlapping pale bracts throughout; Thymus has small green bracts that don't overlap.; vs Polygala: Origanum has square stems and opposite leaves; Polygala has round stems and alternate leaves.; vs Mentha: Origanum has pale overlapping bracts; Mentha lacks these distinctive shingled bracts.; vs Prunella: Origanum bracts are pale and shingled; Prunella has green bracts and dense purple flower spike.; vs Stachys: Origanum has tiny 5-lobed flowers with pale overlapping bracts; Stachys has larger two-lipped flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Origanum sp. native to California?
No. Origanum sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Origanum sp. belong to?
Origanum sp. is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Origanum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.