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Savory (genus)

Satureja is a genus of aromatic plants of the family Lamiaceae, related to rosemary and thyme. There are about 30 species called savories, of which Summer Savory and Winter Savory are the most important in cultivation.

Description

Satureja species are native to warm temperate regions and may be annual or perennial. They are low-growing herbs and subshrubs, reaching heights of 15-50 cm.

The leaves are 1 to 3 cm long, with flowers forming in whorls on the stem, white to pale pink-violet.

Ecology and cultivation

Satureja species are food plants for the larva of some Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). Caterpillars of the moth Coleophora bifrondella feed exclusively on Winter Savory (S. montana).

Savory may be grown purely for ornamental purposes; members of the genus need sun and well-drained soil.

Uses

Both summer savory and winter savory are used to flavor food. The former is preferred by cooks but as an annual is only available in summer; winter savory is an evergreen perennial.

Savory plays an important part in Italian cuisine, particularly when cooking beans. It is also used to season the traditional Acadian stew known as fricot.

Yerba Buena (Spanish: "good herb"; S. douglasii) is used to make a herbal tea in the western United States.

Winter savory is reputed to help ease flatulence.

Selected species

Satureja acinos
Satureja alpina
Satureja coerulea
Satureja cuneifolia
Satureja douglasii – Yerba Buena (syn. S. chamissonis)
Satureja hortensis – Summer Savory
Satureja mexicana
Satureja montana – Winter Savory
Satureja multiflora – Chilean Shrub Mint
Satureja palmeri (believed extinct; rediscovered 2001)
Satureja rumelica
Satureja spicigera
Satureja thymbra
Satureja viminea – Serpentine Savory
Satureja viminea
Satureja vulgaris – Wild Basil

Formerly in Satureja