Thymus vulgaris

This article is about the most common species of thyme plant. For a discussion of thyme as a culinary ingredient and herbal medicine, see Thyme.

Thymus vulgaris
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Embryophytes
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Thymus
Species:	T. vulgaris
Binomial name
Thymus vulgaris L.

Thymus vulgaris (common thyme, German thyme, garden thyme or just thyme) is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae.

Description

The plant grows to 15–30 centimetres (6–12 in) tall and 40 cm (16 in) wide, forming a woody, evergreen subshrub with small and highly aromatic grey-green leaves, as well as clusters of purple or pink flowers in early summer.

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  Shoot
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  Specimen in bloom

Etymology

The Latin specific epithet vulgaris means 'common' in the sense of 'widespread'.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to southern Europe from the western Mediterranean to southern Italy.

Uses

It is useful in the garden as groundcover, where it can be short-lived, but is easily propagated from cuttings. It is also the main source of the herb thyme, used as an ingredient in cooking and as a herbal medicine. It is slightly spicier than oregano and sweeter than sage.

Cultivars

Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed for ornamental purposes. Nomenclature can be very confusing. French, German and English varieties vary by leaf shape and colour and essential oils. The many cultivars include 'Argenteus' (silver thyme).

The cultivar 'Silver Queen', with white-margined leaves, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

See also

• Thymol – Chemical compound found in plants including thyme

Bibliography

• L. H. Bailey; Manual of Cultivated Plants.
• M. Easter; International Thymus Register and Checklist.

External links

• Thymi herba, European Medicines Agency