Photo by Jim Jung. All rights reserved.

Wild Oregano

Wild Oregano is found on dry, rocky woodland slopes. In the fall this foot-high member of the mint family has sprays of tiny lavender flowers and is one of the last woodland plants to bloom. And while its blooms are attractive it's the fragrance of the crushed leaves that people find most interesting since it smells exactly like its cultivated relative.

Photo © 2004 Steve Haskins. All rights reserved.

Wild Oregano has another claim to uniqueness since it's the only plant in our flora to consistently produce "frost flowers". Frost flowers result when freezing temperatures cause the sap to freeze and then while expanding extrude through ruptures in the stem creating long ribbons of ice. Why exactly the roots go on pumping sap when there's no earthly reason to do so is a mystery but I suppose we should be grateful for the plant's poor internal communication since winter hikers are rewarded with these very weird and often beautiful "flowers".

Keep your eyes open!The effect is temporary, fleeting and, of course, seldom seen but once witnessed is unforgettable. Look for them in our area in the morning after hard frosts and before the sun has a chance to melt the ribbons away to nothing.

From our Feature Archive:

• Gallery of Frost Flowers

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