C 298 ] 



Origanum Dictamnus. Dittany of 



Crete. 



Oafs and Order. 



DlDYNAMIA GYMNOSPERMIA, 



Generic Characler. 

 Strohilus tetragonus, fpicatus, calyces colligens. 



Specific Character and Synonyms. 



ORIGANUM DicJamnus foliis inferioribus tomentofis, fpicis 

 nutantibus. Linn. Syjl. Vegelab. ed. 14. Murr. 

 p. 541. Ait. Kdiv. v. 2. p. 311. Dittany of 

 Candia. 



DICTAMNUS crcticus. &*»&. iV«. p. 222. 



By the name of Dittany of Crete, the fpecies of Origanum 

 here figured, has long been known in this country as a medi- 

 cinal plant ; to the purpofes of phyfic it ftill indeed continues 

 to be applied, as imported in a dried ftate from the Levant : 

 when bruifed, the whole plant gives forth an aromatic fragrance, 

 highly grateful ; as an ornamental plant, it has alfo been long* 

 and is now, very generally cultivated in this country. Turn er» 

 whofe Herbal was printed in 1568, writes thus concerning ftp 

 " I have fene it growynge in England in Maifter Riches gardm 

 " naturally, but it groweth no where ellis that I know of, 

 " faving only in Candy." As at this period no idea was enter- 

 tained of a greenhoufe, the plant mufi have been cultivated in 

 the open ground, where it would doubtlefs grow readily, if ^ 

 cured from the feverity of the weather, it being more" hardy 

 than many plants ufually kept in grcenhoufes. 



This plant is at all times ornamental, but more particularly 

 fo when in flower, in which Mate it appears during molt of the 

 fummer and autumnal months. 



T ' is ufually increafed by cuttings, which ftrike readily. 



