Oregano - The name oregano is given to several unrelated plants that share the same or similar flavor. The most common two in this area is the Oregano used in Italian or Greek cooking which is a low spreading plant, Origanum vulgare. The other is a bushy shrub we call Mexican Oregano, Lippia graveolens, or Lippia palmeri. Both are available in local nurseries. Even the native common Doveweed is an excellent substitute for oregano.
Oregano is a basic ingredient in Italian and Mexican cooking.
It an be used to season all meats, stuffing, stews, soups, spaghetti sauce, and pizza. Leaves are best used dried. Rosemary - A hearty, tough plant that thrives in our hot dry climate. Available as a landscape plant in nurseries. One of the oldest herbs known to man and has a long history of uses.