Thymus vulgaris

Scientific description

Taxon: Thymus vulgaris L.
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Common thyme

Origin:
Southern France, Spain, Balearic Islands, Italy.

Description:
Small aromatic shrub, 10–30 cm tall, woody, erect, twisted stems forming a dense bush. Leaves lanceolate, pale green, rolled at edges, with thick white hairs underneath. Flowers white or pinkish, in spikes or globular heads, blooming April to July.

Propagation:
By seeds, cuttings, or division.

Ecology:
Dry, arid, rocky Mediterranean habitats.

Use:
Highly aromatic, used in cooking. Essential oil used for respiratory ailments.

Threat:
Common species, classified as Least Concern nationally.

Creative writing inspired by Thymus vulgaris

The remedy

It was a sunny day when all the plants were ripening. But there was one that was slow in coming into being. Her name was Thyme. On that beautiful July 14, 2024, Thyme finally showed its face. A few months later, an invasion of wild rats spread through the city. The population was devastated. It was even rumored that if a rat bit someone, the person would die within days. Sadly, this is what happened to his grandmother, who died 3 days after being bitten.

Thyme's tears kept flowing, until one of them fell into his glass, suddenly creating a magic potion. This potion repelled all the rats in town, but that wasn't all it did. It repelled all the bad smells and bacteria of the people.

Thyme has been used ever since as a repellent, but also as a condiment. Indeed, this plant is also very useful in certain dishes such as meats, or barbecue marinades.

3D Interactive View

Authentic Specimen