0583 



THYME 



Family: LABIATAE. 



Reproductive system: DlDYNAMY, GYMNOSPERMY. 



Common thyme, Thymus vulgaris, Linn., is a small woody plant well known for 

 its strong aromatic fragrance. Its reddish brown stems are slightly hairy, very branchy, 

 and grow two or three inches high. The leaves are small, whitish, entire, and green above. 

 The reddish flowers are in whorled spikes at the ends of the branches. The calyx has two 

 lips and is closed by hairs. The upper lip has three teeth; the lower one has two that are 

 narrower and more pointed. The corolla likewise has two lips. The upper one is indented 

 and the lower one has three entire lobes. The four stamens are hidden inside the tube of 

 the corolla. The ovary has four lobes that turn into the same number of small 

 monospermous capsules. 



FLOWERS: in May and June. 



RANGE: hillsides in the southern provinces of France. 



NOMENCLATURE. Thymus comes from a Greek word that means strength or 

 courage because its balsamic aroma arouses and strengthens sexual desire. In our 

 southern dialect it's called frigoulo or faligoulo. German, thymian, thumel. English, the 

 garden thyme. Spanish, tomillo. Russian, fimiane. Hungarian, balsam-fit. 



Wild thyme, Thymus serpillum, Linn., is a small plant with a hard, woody stem 

 that lies close to the ground. The leaves are small, opposite, entire, flat, and ciliate at the 

 base. The flowers are arranged in oblong heads at the ends of the branches. They're 

 purplish, sometimes white. The calyx has two lips; the teeth on the lower lip are pointed 

 and ciliate. The corolla likewise has two lips and has four stamens in its tube. The ovary 

 has four lobes that turn into the same number of monospermous capsules. 



FLOWERS: in June, July, and August. 



