Thymus moroderi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thymus moroderi |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Thymus (plant)
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| Species: |
moroderi
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Thymus moroderi is a small plant that belongs to the Thymus family. You might know other plants from this family, like common thyme. This special plant only grows in certain dry areas of Spain. You can find it mostly in the southern part of the Alicante province. It also grows in a few scattered, dry spots in the nearby Región de Murcia. In these places, people often call it cantahueso or cantueso. This name is used in both Spanish and Valencian languages.
It's important not to confuse Thymus moroderi with another plant called Lavandula stoechas. Even though Lavandula stoechas is also called cantueso in Spanish, it belongs to a different plant family, Lavandula, which is the lavender family.
Contents
About Thymus Moroderi
What Does It Look Like?
When Thymus moroderi is not blooming, it looks quite plain. It is a dark green plant with very tiny leaves. It generally has a simple and modest appearance. This plant stays small. When it grows in the best conditions, it can spread out about 25 centimeters wide. It usually grows to be around 20 centimeters tall.
When Does It Bloom?
The plant changes a lot when it blooms. This happens from April through early June. During these weeks, its flowers become very noticeable. They add a lot of color and beauty to the plant, making it stand out.
How Does It Survive Dry Places?
Thymus moroderi is a xerophyte plant. This means it is specially adapted to live in very dry places. It grows well in areas that get very little rain, often 300 millimeters or less each year. These conditions are common in southern Alicante and parts of Murcia. The plant also prefers very poor soils. It especially likes soils that have traces of gypsum, a type of mineral.
Is It Rare?
Thymus moroderi is not officially listed as an endangered species. However, it is not a very common plant. It grows in patches, meaning you find it in some spots but not others. Many of these areas are also places where people live. This creates a risk that people might pick its flowers. People traditionally pick the flowers for various uses. Even though it's best to only trim the plant, some people might pull it out completely. This can harm the plant's ability to grow back.
Uses of Thymus Moroderi
Traditional Uses
One traditional use of Thymus moroderi is to make a local drink. A traditional liquor called Cantueso is made by distilling this plant.
Also, especially near the city of Elche, people have a long tradition of picking the flowers. They dry the flowers to use them throughout the year. These dried flowers are brewed as a herbal tea. This tea is believed to be a good herbal tonic for the stomach.
New Ideas for the Future
Since 2013, people have started trying to domesticate this plant. This means they are trying to grow it on farms. The goal is to allow it to be grown for commercial use. Besides its traditional uses, scientists are looking into other possibilities. They are interested in its essential oil. This oil could be used in many products. They also see its potential as an ornamental plant, meaning it could be grown for its beauty in gardens.
See also
In Spanish: Cantueso murciano para niños
