Origanum syriacum

Origanum syriacum; syn. Majorana syriaca (also Origanum maru, although this primarily refers to a hybrid of O. syriacum),[3] bible hyssop,[4] Biblical-hyssop,[1] Lebanese oregano[1] or Syrian oregano,[1] is an aromatic perennial herb in the mint family, Lamiaceae.

Origanum syriacum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Origanum
Species:
O. syriacum
Binomial name
Origanum syriacum
Synonyms[2]

Majorana syriaca (L.) Raf.
Schizocalyx syriacus (L.) Scheele

Etymology

The plant may be called za'atar by association with its use in an herb-spice mixture. In, both, Modern Hebrew and in Classical Hebrew the plant is called ezov (Hebrew: אזוב), which was formerly used in ceremonial functions, such as for sprinkling the waters of purification on those persons defiled by the dead.[5][6] In many English translations of the Bible, ezov is rendered as hyssop, hence the common name for bible hyssop, believed to be a different plant generally identified with Hyssopus officinalis.

The problems with identification arise from Jewish oral tradition where it expressly prohibits Greek hyssop, and where the biblical plant is said to have been identical to the Arabic word, zaatar (Origanum syriacum), and which word is not to be associated with other types of ezov that often bear an additional epithet, such as zaatar farsi = Persian-hyssop (Thymus capitatus) and zaatar rumi = Roman-hyssop (Satureja thymbra) and zaatar mani = calamint (Calamintha incana).[7]

Description
In habitat in the Judean mountains

Origanum syriacum grows to a height of 1 meter. The plant is pollinated by bees.[4] Flowers are small and white or pale pink.[8]

Distribution

Origanum syriacum is native to the Middle East.[1] In Egypt, Origanum syriacum subsp. sinaicum is a very rare plant that grows on stony ground in Sinai Peninsula including the coastal Mediterranean strip.[9] Wild hyssop and sage are protected under Israeli law as endangered plants, but no major studies on their status have been conducted since 1977.[10]

Use

It is a preferred primary ingredient in the spice mixture za'atar. So precious is this herb that in the Levant, Arabs will send out foraging parties to gather it. Origanum syriacum is harvested in the wild for use in preparing za'atar, a mixture of dried herbs, sesame and sumac for flavoring and garnish. However, following the implementation of protective laws, those caught collecting wild hyssop can be prosecuted and face large fines.[11] It has recently entered cultivation due to high levels of demand.[12]

Further reading
  • Fleisher, Alexander; Fleisher, Zhenia (1988). "Identification of Biblical Hyssop and Origin of the Traditional Use of Oregano-Group Herbs in the Mediterranean Region". Economic Botany. Springer. 42 (2): 232–241. doi:10.1007/BF02858924. JSTOR 4255069. S2CID 45220405.
  • Paton, Alan (1994). "Three Membranous-bracted Species of Origanum". The Kew Magazine. Wiley. 11 (3): 109–117. JSTOR 45067209.

References
  1. "Origanum syriacum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  2. "Origanum syriacum L.". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 April 2013 – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  3. "Za'atar, a renowned herb blend, and events inspired by it". Vegetable Gardener. 29 September 2010.
  4. "Origanum syriacum Bible Hyssop". PFAF Plant Database. Plants For A Future. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  5. Daphne, Amos (1983), "Majorana syriaca", in Heller, David; Livneh, Micah (eds.), Plants and Animals of the Land of Israel (in Hebrew), vol. 11, Tel Aviv: Israel Ministry of Defence, in affiliation with the Nature Protection Society, pp. 79–80, ISBN 965-05-0078-2
  6. Based on the Judeo-Arabic translation of the word in the works of Rabbi Saadia Gaon (in his Tafsir, a translation of the Pentateuch, Exo. 12:22), Nathan ben Abraham I in Mishnah Uktzin 2:2, Rabbi Jonah ibn Janah (Sefer HaShorashim - Book of the Roots, s.v. אזב - aleph, zayn, bet), and Maimonides (in his Mishnah Commentary, Nega'im 14:6).
  7. The Mishnah (ed. Herbert Danby), Oxford University Press: Oxford 1977, s.v. Negai'im 14:6 (p. 696); Parah 11:7 (p. 711).
  8. "Origanum syriacum". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  9. Boulos, Loutfy (2002). Flora of Egypt. Vol. 3: Verbenaceae-Compositae. Cairo, Egypt: Al-Hadara Publishing. p. 12. ISBN 9775429250.
  10. "How Za'atar Became a Victim of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict". Haaretz. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  11. "A Mixup Over a Biblical Herb". Haaretz. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  12. Khairallah, Simon (1 January 2010). "Plant story - helping to conserve Origanum syriacum". Kew News. Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Archived from the original on 2018-07-03. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
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