Thymus serpyllum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thymus serpyllum
Scientific classification
Genus:	Thymus (plant)
Species:	serpyllum

Thymus serpyllum, also known as Breckland thyme or wild thyme, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the mint family called Lamiaceae. This plant grows naturally in most parts of Europe and North Africa.

Wild thyme is a small plant that usually grows close to the ground. It is a subshrub, which means it's a small woody plant. It grows about 2 centimeters (less than an inch) tall. Its stems can spread up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. The leaves are oval-shaped and stay green all year. They are about 3 to 8 millimeters long. The flowers smell very strong and can be lilac, pink-purple, magenta, or sometimes white. They are 4 to 6 millimeters long and grow in groups. This tough plant can handle some walking on it. It smells different depending on the type, from a strong herb smell to a light lemon scent.

Discovering Wild Thyme

Wild thyme is a small, evergreen plant that creeps along the ground. It has woody stems and a main root that goes deep into the soil. This plant forms flat, mat-like patches. Its stems are a bit square and can root where they touch the ground.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. They have almost no stalks and are shaped like long ovals with rounded tips. Their edges are smooth. In the summer, the plant sends up straight shoots with flowers. The flowers are usually pink or purple. They have a tube-like part called a calyx and a hairy, irregular corolla (the petals). The top petal has a small notch. The bottom petal is larger than the two side petals and has three flat parts that form a lip. Each flower has four parts that stick out, called stamens. It also has two fused parts called carpels. After flowering, the plant produces a dry fruit with four small chambers.

Where Wild Thyme Grows

Wild thyme is native to Europe and Asia. This area is known as the Palearctic realm. It likes to grow in thin soils. You can find it on sandy heaths, rocky areas, hills, banks, roadsides, and sandy riverbanks.

Importance to Wildlife

Wild thyme is a very important plant for some insects. The larvae (young caterpillars) of both the common blue butterfly and the large blue butterfly eat this plant. It also attracts many bees, which helps them collect nectar and pollen.

Growing Wild Thyme

People often use different types of wild thyme in gardens. The kinds that creep or form mounds are great for borders. They also make good ground cover around gardens and stone paths. You can even use it instead of a bluegrass lawn. This is good for areas that get a little bit of foot traffic. It's also useful for xeriscaping, which means using plants that need less water and can grow in poor soil.

Popular Types

Many special types of wild thyme have been created for gardens. One popular type is 'Pink Chintz'. It has won an award from the Royal Horticultural Society. Another tiny creeping type is called 'Elfin'.

Gallery

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  var. albus

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  var. albus

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  Thymus serpyllum coccineus

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  Wild thyme in the UBC Botanical Garden

Illustrations

See also

In Spanish: Serpol para niños