What plant is Cuban oregano? Get to know this delicate succulent

Cuban oregano is a perennial shrub-like herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae family, genus Plectranthus. A horticultural variety. Cuban oregano has oval-shaped leaves with fine glandular hairs on the surface, fleshy, with blunt sparse rounded teeth along the margins, decussate, with a fresh fragrance; after touching, it leaves a fresh and pleasant scent on the fingers, hence the name "touch-me-plant" (pengpengxiang). Cyme inflorescence, flowers tubular, white. Much branched, the whole plant covered with fine dense white fuzz.

Cuban oregano

Morphological characteristics:

Subshrub-like perennial herbaceous plant. Much branched, the whole plant covered with fine dense white fuzz. Fleshy leaves, decussate, green, ovate, with blunt serrated margins. Stems slender, prostrate, many-branched, leaves round, leaf blades fuzzy, flowers small, white. Because it gives off a pleasant fragrance when touched, it enjoys the elegant name "pengpengxiang" (touch-me-plant). And because its fragrance is thick and sweet, much like the scent of apples, it also enjoys the reputation of "apple scent." Smelling it is refreshing to the mind.

Cuban oregano is much branched, the whole plant covered with fine dense white fuzz, fleshy leaves decussate, stems slender, small flowers white.

Cuban oregano

The reason Cuban oregano releases fragrance is similar to the principle of the sensitive plant's "shyness": when its leaves are stimulated by touch, the water within the cells acts, causing the turgor pressure of the leaf cushion to change. Unlike the sensitive plant, the leaves of Cuban oregano do not contract under turgor pressure; instead, the stomata inside used for air exchange expand, and a readily volatile substance with an apple fragrance diffuses through the stomata into the air. In fact, Cuban oregano normally also releases a faint fragrance, but this fragrance is relatively light and not easily noticed by people; when its leaves are touched, this fragrance becomes stronger (it is also on the hands), and only then do people feel that it is fragrant as soon as it is touched.

Cuban oregano

Value:

1. Ornamental

It has ornamental value, which is also the value people pay the most attention to. Its fragrance adds a lot of points to its appearance. Moreover, its temperament is unique; whether placed on a balcony, a desk, or hung indoors, it works.

2. Edible

The leaves of Cuban oregano can be used to make dishes and soups. When cooking, adding a few leaves can enhance the aroma of the food and increase people's appetite. Its leaves can also be used to make tea or brew wine, or the leaves can be directly eaten as a cold salad. The leaves of Cuban oregano can also be used as a spice or essence.

3. Medicinal

Mash the leaves of Cuban oregano, add honey or granulated sugar, mix with water and drink, which can relieve sore throat; boil its leaves to make tea and steep in water, and after taking it, it can relieve bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort; mash the leaves of Cuban oregano and apply to places bitten by mosquitoes, which can relieve itching and reduce inflammation;

4. Mosquito repellent

The fragrance of Cuban oregano can repel mosquitoes and insects. Keeping a pot at home can let family members avoid the harassment of mosquitoes and insects in summer.

5. Freshening the air

Moreover, it can also purify the air. Cuban oregano can absorb a variety of harmful gases including formaldehyde, ammonia, and sulfur dioxide, and can effectively purify indoor air.