Origanum syriacum; syn. Majorana syriaca (also Origanum maru, although this primarily refers to a hybrid of O. syriacum),[3]bible hyssop,[4]Biblical-hyssop,[1]Lebanese oregano[1] or Syrian oregano,[1] is an aromatic perennial herb in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
It is a preferred primary ingredient in the spice mixture za'atar.
Etymology
The plant may be called za'atar by association with its use in an herb-spice mixture. In, both, Modern Hebrew and in Classical Hebrew the plant is called ezov (Hebrew: אזוב), which was formerly used in ceremonial functions, such as for sprinkling the waters of purification on those persons defiled by the dead.[5][6] In many English translations of the Bible, ezov is rendered as hyssop, hence the common name for bible hyssop, believed to be a different plant generally identified with Hyssopus officinalis.
The problems with identification arise from Jewish oral tradition where it expressly prohibits Greek hyssop, and where the biblical plant is said to have been identical to the Arabic word, zaatar (Origanum syriacum), and which word is not to be associated with other types of ezov that often bear an additional epithet, such as zaatar farsi = Persian-hyssop (Thymus capitatus) and zaatar rumi = Roman-hyssop (Satureja thymbra) and zaatar mani = calamint (Calamintha incana).[7]
Description
In habitat in the Judean mountains
Origanum syriacum grows to a height of 1 meter. The plant is pollinated by bees.[4] Flowers are small and white or pale pink.[8]
Distribution
Origanum syriacum is native to the Middle East.[1] In Egypt, Origanum syriacum subsp. sinaicum is a very rare plant that grows on stony ground in Sinai Peninsula including the coastal Mediterranean strip.[9] Wild hyssop and sage are protected under Israeli law as endangered plants, but no major studies on their status have been conducted since 1977.[10]
Use
Food
Origanum syriacum is harvested in the wild for use in preparing za'atar, a mixture of dried herbs, sesame and sumac for flavoring and garnish. For example, in Lebanon, a typical za'atar blend often consists of dried leaves from Origanum syriacum and Thymbra spicata. This blend is complemented with ground fruits of Rhus coriaria (sumac), toasted sesame seeds, and salt. It is a common practice to mix za'atar with olive oil at home, creating a spread that is then applied to flatbreads called manakish.[11]
So precious is this herb that in the Levant, Arabs will send out foraging parties to gather it. However, following the implementation of protective laws, those caught collecting wild hyssop can be prosecuted and face large fines.[12] It has recently entered cultivation due to high levels of demand.[13][failed verification]
Further reading
Fleisher, Alexander; Fleisher, Zhenia (1988). "Identification of Biblical Hyssop and Origin of the Traditional Use of Oregano-Group Herbs in the Mediterranean Region". Economic Botany. Springer. 42 (2): 232–241. doi:10.1007/BF02858924. JSTOR4255069. S2CID45220405.
Paton, Alan (1994). "Three Membranous-bracted Species of Origanum". The Kew Magazine. Wiley. 11 (3): 109–117. JSTOR45067209.
^Daphne, Amos (1983), "Majorana syriaca", in Heller, David; Livneh, Micah (eds.), Plants and Animals of the Land of Israel (in Hebrew), vol. 11, Tel Aviv: Israel Ministry of Defence, in affiliation with the Nature Protection Society, pp. 79–80, ISBN965-05-0078-2
^Based on the Judeo-Arabic translation of the word in the works of Rabbi Saadia Gaon (in his Tafsir, a translation of the Pentateuch, Exo. 12:22), Nathan ben Abraham I in Mishnah Uktzin 2:2, Rabbi Jonah ibn Janah (Sefer HaShorashim - Book of the Roots, s.v. אזב - aleph, zayn, bet), and Maimonides (in his Mishnah Commentary, Nega'im 14:6).
^The Mishnah (ed. Herbert Danby), Oxford University Press: Oxford 1977, s.v. Negai'im 14:6 (p. 696); Parah 11:7 (p. 711).
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