Marjoram (/ˈmɑːrdʒərəm/,[2] Origanum majorana) is a cold-sensitive perennial herb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavours.

Marjoram is indigenous to Cyprus, the Mediterranean, Turkey, Western Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Levant, and was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as a symbol of happiness.

Marjoram is mentioned in De Materia Medica by Pedanius Dioscorides, and was used by Hippocrates as an antiseptic.

[12] Leaves are smooth, simple, petiolated, ovate to oblong-ovate, 0.5–1.5 cm (0.2–0.6 inches) long, 0.2–0.8 cm (0.1–0.3 inches) wide, with obtuse apex, entire margin, symmetrical but tapering base, and reticulate venation.

Under proper conditions it spreads prolifically, and so is usually grown in pots to prevent it from taking over a garden.

The flowering leaves and tops of marjoram are steam-distilled to produce an essential oil that is yellowish (darkening to brown as it ages).

It is a perennial common in southern Europe and north to Sweden in dry copses and on hedge-banks, with many stout stems 30–80 centimetres (12–31 in) high, bearing short-stalked, somewhat ovate leaves and clusters of purple flowers.

Marjoram is used for seasoning soups, stews, salad dressings, sauces, herbal teas [17] and sausages.