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Origanum onites (Lamiaceae) in Greece: Distribution, volatile oil yield, and composition

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Abstract

Origanum onites, widely used as a spice, grows wild in southern and southeastern Greece, especially in phryganic ecosystems. Like other woody plants of these ecosystems, it is characterized by seasonal dimorphism, an adaptation to face the summer drought. Its range in Greece is defined, and the features of its volatile oil are studied. It appears to be a fairly stable species, both from the morphological and chemical point of view. The high yields in volatile oil and high contents of carvacrol from all populations studied suggest the possibility of further profitable exploitation.

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Vokou, D., Kokkini, S. & BessiÈRe, JM. Origanum onites (Lamiaceae) in Greece: Distribution, volatile oil yield, and composition. Econ Bot 42, 407–412 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860163

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