Creeping savory facts for kids

Satureja spicigera, also known as creeping savory, is a cool plant that flowers. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which is also called the mint family. This means it's related to plants like mint, basil, and thyme!

This plant grows naturally in parts of northeastern Turkey, the Caucasus region, and northwestern Iran. It's a type of plant that stays low to the ground and spreads out, almost like a carpet. Because it's a perennial, it comes back year after year. It's quite tough and can handle cold weather, making it a great choice for gardens in many places.

Creeping savory is often used as a border plant in rock gardens or herb gardens. It's also a popular herb for cooking, both fresh and dried. Its flavor is quite strong, similar to winter savory, and even stronger than summer savory. This makes it a great addition to many dishes!

What is Creeping Savory?

Creeping savory is a small, woody plant that grows close to the ground. It's known as a "prostrate shrub" because it spreads out instead of growing tall. This plant is very hardy, meaning it can survive cold winters and hot summers. It's perfect for adding a green touch to your garden that lasts all year.

Its Scientific Name

The scientific name for creeping savory is Satureja spicigera. The word spicigera comes from Latin and means "bearing spikes." This refers to how its flowers grow in little spikes. It was first described by scientists K.Koch and Boissier.

Where Does Creeping Savory Grow?

This plant is native to specific regions in Asia. You can find it growing naturally in:

• Northeastern Turkey
• The Caucasus mountains (a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea)
• Northwestern Iran

It thrives in these areas, which often have rocky or mountainous terrain.

How is Creeping Savory Used?

Creeping savory is a versatile plant, meaning it has many uses!

In the Garden

Because it grows low and spreads, creeping savory is excellent for:

• Edging plants: It can create a nice border around garden beds.
• Rock gardens: It looks great growing among rocks.
• Herb gardens: It's a beautiful and useful addition to any herb collection.

In the Kitchen

Creeping savory is also a fantastic culinary herb. People use it to add flavor to their food.

• Fresh or dried: You can pick the leaves fresh from the plant or dry them to use later.
• Strong flavor: Its taste is bold and peppery, similar to other savory herbs. It's often compared to winter savory, which is known for its strong taste. It's much stronger than summer savory, which has a milder flavor.
• Cooking: It's great in stews, soups, meat dishes, and even vegetable dishes.