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Re: Is it Ditney of Crete?

Dittany of Crete, or Origanum dictaminus, is, as the Latin name indicates,
an oregano species.  Though its leaves are fairly stiff, they aren't
really thick or succulent.  The largest I've seen the leaves is about 1/2
inch across - certainly not as large as 3/4".  The smell of the leaves is
very much like that of oregano, but stronger, and in Crete, people do use
it as an herb.  The inflorescence is very typical for an Origanum,
tightly-packed sets of alternating bracts from which arise the flowers.
The individual flowers are normal mint family flowers, bilaterally
symmetrical, with the typical lip.  Almost all plants in the mint family
have square stems.  The leaves are round, not notched.

I've also never heard of an aromatic Kalanchoe, though there are several
species that have fuzzy leaves and there may be some Kalanchoe flowers are
radially symmetrical and 4-petaled.  Beyond that they are quite variable. 
Although leaves in Kalanchoe are also paired on the stem, they are usually
notched at the edge; in several species, small plants will grow from these
notches.  The stems are round, not square. 

That should at least help; if not, try and get it to bloom and the flowers
will tell you.

Bob


On Mon, 16 Mar 1998, William M. Groth wrote:

> Hello all,
> 
> I recently found a wonderful little plant with succulent type leaves.  The
> leaves
> are only about 3/4 inch in diameter and they are somewhat green and fuzzy.
> The
> people at the local nursery said they believed it was a Kalanchoe but I
> wonder.
> The leaves are very aromatic with a spicy-minty aroma and they said it is
> called
> "Menthol" in the trade.  I also have a thriving Ditney of Crete and these two
> plants look almost identical.  The newer one has a more upright character
> at the
> moment and the leaves on the older plant are a little shinier.  Otherwise they
> are virtually identical.  Is there a dwarf type Kalanchoe which is aromatic?
> Is there a possibility that Ditney of Crete would be considered a succulent?
> What are your thoughts?
> ______________________________________________________________________
> 
>        William M. Groth
>        groth@ruf.rice.edu
>        Senior Staff Auditor
>        Internal Audit Department
>        phone: (713) 527-8101 ext.3759
> 	fax:  (713) 285-5927
> _____________________________________________________________________
>
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