Thymus vulgaris
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thymus vulgaris (common thyme, German thyme,[1] garden thyme[2] or just thyme) is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
| Thymus vulgaris | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Thymus |
| Species: | T. vulgaris |
| Binomial name | |
| Thymus vulgaris | |
Description
Etymology
The Latin specific epithet vulgaris means 'common' in the sense of 'widespread'.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to southern Europe from the western Mediterranean to southern Italy.[citation needed]
Uses
It is useful in the garden as groundcover, where it can be short-lived, but is easily propagated from cuttings.[3] 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.[5] French, German and English varieties vary by leaf shape and colour and essential oils.[6] The many cultivars include 'Argenteus' (silver thyme).[7]
The cultivar 'Silver Queen', with white-margined leaves, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[8][9]
See also
- Thymol – Chemical compound found in plants including thyme
