Lemon thyme facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lemon thyme |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thymus (plant)
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| Species: |
citriodorus
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| Synonyms | |
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Thymus × citriodorus |
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Thymus citriodorus, often called lemon thyme or citrus thyme, is a cool plant that smells like lemons! It's an evergreen plant, meaning its leaves stay green all year. It grows low to the ground, spreading out like a mat. This plant is a perennial, so it comes back year after year. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which is also known as the mint family. For a long time, people were unsure about this plant's correct name and where it came from. But recent DNA tests show it's a unique species, just as it was first described way back in 1811.
Lemon thyme is a small, woody plant that grows to about 0.1 metres (3.9 in) (4 inches) tall. It can spread out to about 0.3 metres (12 in) (1 foot) wide. This plant loves lots of sunshine and soil that drains water well. It blooms in the middle to late summer. Its flowers are pink to lavender in color. These flowers are a great source of nectar for busy bees and beautiful butterflies.
What Lemon Thyme is Used For
Lemon thyme and its different types are grown for many reasons. People use them as ornamental plants (because they look nice), as culinary herbs (for cooking), and sometimes as medicinal plants (for health).
In gardens, lemon thyme is often used as a groundcover. This means it spreads out to cover the ground. It's also planted in flower beds, between stepping stones, and in pots. If you live in a hot, dry place, lemon thyme is great for xeriscaping. This is a way of gardening that uses plants that don't need much water. Once it's settled in, lemon thyme can handle dry spells very well. Since its flowers produce nectar, these plants are also popular in gardens designed to attract bees and butterflies.
The leaves of lemon thyme can be eaten fresh in salads. You can also use them fresh or dried to add flavor to your cooking. They make tasty herbal teas too! Beyond food, lemon thyme is used to make essential oils. It's also found in some old-fashioned remedies, and in products like antiseptics, things that help with breathing, and even perfumes and skincare items.
How Lemon Thyme Got Its Name
Thymus citriodorus has had many different names over time. Some of these include Thymus × citriodorus, Thymus fragrantissimus, and Thymus serpyllum citratus. For a while, people thought this plant was a hybrid. A hybrid is a plant created by crossing two different types of plants. They believed it was a mix of Thymus pulegioides and Thymus vulgaris. However, DNA analysis has shown that T. citriodorus is not related to those other thyme plants in the way they thought. It's its own unique species!
Different Types of Lemon Thyme
Cultivars are special types of plants that people have grown for certain features. For lemon thyme, these special types are chosen for their leaf color and how they smell. Some smell more like lemon, while others might smell like orange or lime! Nurseries often sell these plants using older names, so it can be a bit confusing to know the exact scientific name.
Here are a few popular types:
- Lemon Supreme: This type has light purple flowers. It grows strongly and has a much richer lemon scent than most other lemon thymes.
- ‘Silver-Edged’ (Silver-Edged Lemon Thyme): Its green leaves have pretty silver edges. It produces pink flowers.
- Creeping Golden Lemon: This one has shiny dark green leaves with gold patterns. It smells like lemon and has lavender flower spikes.
- Orange Thyme: This type smells like oranges and grows unusually low to the ground.
- Lime Thyme: This plant forms a mound and has bright, yellowish-green leaves. It can have a mild or strong lime scent and flavor. Its flowers are lavender-pink.
