Origanum cordifolium, Paphos origanum is a subshrub with suberect, cylindrical, hairless, often purplish shoots, 40–60 cm high. Leaves opposite, simple, entire or irregularly dentate, stalkless, ovoid to cordate, 1-2 x 0.8–2 cm, leathery, hairless, acute. Flowers on pendulous spikes, zygomorphic, corolla bifid, whitish or pinkish, 1-4, subtended by purplish-green, large bracts. Flowers June–August. Fruit of 4 nutlets.