85 WAYSIDE AND WOODLAND BLOSSOMS. 



Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum). 



The Wild Thyme grows on the hills and the high heath 

 lands, usually among fine grasses that are close-cropped by 

 sheep and rabbits ; or if on lower ground it will probably be 

 found upon the light and well-drained soil of a mole-hill among 

 mosses. In spite of its diminutive stature it is a shrub, with 

 a woody rootstock and a creeping stem, from which arise the 

 flowering stems. The leaves, which are very small and 

 stalked, are egg-shaped, with even margins, often turned under. 

 The rosy-purple flowers are produced in spikes. They are of 

 the usual labiate type, and both the calyx and the corolla are 

 two-lipped. The upper lip of the calyx is three-toothed, the 

 lower cleft in two, the whole of a purplish hue. The upper 

 lip of the corolla is straight and notched, the lower cut into 

 three lobes. There are two forms of flower smaller and larger ; 

 the small are perfect, the larger bearing developed anthers 

 only. It should be noted also that in the complete flowers 

 the anthers shed their pollen before the stigmas are ripe ; self- 

 fertilization is therefore impossible. The flower produces 

 much honey, the whole plant is highly fragrant, and in con- 

 sequence is very much visited by insects who carry the pollen. 

 While the stamens are ripe the pistil is short and almost 

 hidden within the corolla-tube ; when the pollen has been shed 

 the style elongates, the two arms of the stigma diverge and 

 occupy a prominent position far outside the lips. Under this 

 arrangement insects alighting on the younger flowers dust 

 themselves with pollen, and upon visiting those a day or two 

 older could scarcely fail to deposit some of it upon the ripe 

 stigmas. 



This is the only native species of a genus named from the 

 ancient Greek name for the plant. 



