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Saving Cherished Slow Foods, One Product
at a Time
Desert Oregano
Desert Oregano grows wild in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of North America where it has been traditionally used as a culinary herb to season fish and meats as well as medicinally, as an anti-inflammatory and an anti-vertigo remedy. It is currently hailed as one of the richest sources of antioxidants in the plant world.
As a desert native, Desert Oregano is extremely drought-resilient. Even with such a high tolerance, recent extreme droughts and land access issues have limited its commercial availability. Luckily, the sweet, herbal flavor of Desert Oregano is preserved for the market by the Seri Indians, who handpick this wild herb as part of their hunter-gather tradition. Working with the land, the Seri move cautiously through the desert scrub as to not damage the plants; instead of breaking off the branches they rake the leaves with their fingers ensuring the plants' ability to reproduce more foliage. The harvest is virtually a pruning process making Desert Oregano a truly sustainable crop.
Seed Sources
Tucson, AZ
Native Seeds/SEARCH
526 North Fourth Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: 520-622-5561
www.nativeseeds.org
**Arizona and Texas nurseries sell live plants
For More Information:
www.environment.nau.edu
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