Satureia
(the old Latin name used by Pliny). ORD. Labiatae. A genus comprising about fourteen species of highly aromatic, hardy herbs or under-shrubs; one is a native of Florida, and the rest inhabit the Mediterranean region. Flowers whorled; calyx five-toothed or very obscurely bilabiate; corolla tube equalling the calyx or bracteoles, the limb bilabiate; stamens four, distant. Leaves small, entire, often fascicled; floral and cauline ones conformed, or the uppermost ones reduced to small bracts. Several species have been introduced, but only two call for notice here. The leaves of both are employed, like other sweet herbs, for seasoning, in cookery. "Both species were noticed by Virgil as being among the most fragrant of herbs, and on this account were recommended to be grown near bee-hives. Vinegar, flavoured with Savory and other aromatic herbs, was as much used by the ancient Romans as Mint-sauce is at the present day with us" (Lindley and Moore). S. hortensis (garden). Summer Savory. fl. pale lilac, small, axillary, on short pedicels; common peduncle sometimes three-flowered. July. l. oblong-linear, acute, shortly narrowed at base into the petioles. h. 6in. or rather more. South Europe, 1562. A pubescent annual. See also Savory, Summer. S. Montana (mountain). Winter Savory. fl. very pale purple; cymes shortly pedunculate, approximating in a spike or raceme. June. l. oblong, linear, and acute, or the lower ones spathulate or cuneate and obtuse. Stems woody at base, diffuse, much branched. South Europe, 1562. A glabrous or scabrous-pubescent under-shrub. (S. F. G. 543.) See also Savory, Winter.