Thymus capitatus facts for kids
Thymus capitatus is a small, woody plant that grows year after year. It is originally from the Mediterranean parts of Europe and Turkey. You might know it by other names like conehead thyme, Persian-hyssop, or Spanish oregano. It's also sometimes called Thymbra capitata.
Quick facts for kids Thymus capitatus |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Thymus (plant)
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| Species: |
capitatus
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Contents
What Does Conehead Thyme Look Like?
This plant has stems that grow upwards. Its leaves are thin, a bit thick, and green. They have tiny dots that are actually oil glands! These leaves can grow up to about 12 mm (0.47 in) long.
Flowers and Their Protection
In the middle to late summer, Thymus capitatus grows pretty pink flowers. Each flower is about 10 mm (0.39 in) long. They grow in groups that look like cones at the end of the stems. These flower groups are protected by special leaves called bracts. These bracts overlap, are about 6 mm (0.24 in) long, and have a reddish color with tiny hairs along their edges.
Where Does Conehead Thyme Grow?
Thymus capitatus is a tough plant that can grow in many places. It is found in USDA Zones 7–10, which means it can handle certain cold temperatures.
Protected Status in Israel
In Israel, Thymus capitatus is a very special plant. It is protected by law, which means it is against the rules to pick or collect it. This helps make sure the plant can keep growing and thriving in its natural home.
Interesting Plant Connections
In places like Eurasia, there's a type of plant called a dodder (Cuscuta epithymum). This dodder is a bit unusual because it doesn't have leaves and gets its food by attaching itself to other plants. Often, it connects to Thymus capitatus. When it does, the dodder can even start to smell like the conehead thyme! This is why the dodder plant is sometimes called al-ṣaʿitrah in Arabic, which is a name it got from its host plant.
