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| − | {{Taxobox | + | __NOTOC__{{Plantbox |
| − | | color = lightgreen
| + | | name = ''Thymus vulgaris'' |
| − | | name = Thyme | + | | common_names = Thyme |
| − | | image = Thymus vulgaris.jpg
| + | | growth_habit = herbaceous |
| − | | image_width = 240px
| + | | high = ? <!--- 1m (3 ft) --> |
| − | | image_caption = Broad leaved Thyme ''Thymus pulegioides''
| + | | wide = <!--- 65cm (25 inches) --> |
| − | | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | + | | origin = ? <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc --> |
| − | | divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | + | | poisonous = <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous --> |
| − | | classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]] | + | | lifespan = perennial |
| − | | ordo = [[Lamiales]] | + | | exposure = ? <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) --> |
| − | | familia = [[Lamiaceae]] | + | | water = ? <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak --> |
| − | | genus = '''''Thymus''''' | + | | features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive --> |
| − | | genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] | + | | hardiness = <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc --> |
| − | | subdivision_ranks = Species | + | | bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers --> |
| − | | subdivision = | + | | usda_zones = ? <!--- eg. 8-11 --> |
| − | About 350 species, including:<br/>
| + | | sunset_zones = <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available --> |
| − | ''[[Thymus adamovicii]]''<br/>
| + | | color = IndianRed |
| − | ''[[Thymus altaicus]]''<br/>
| + | | image = Echter Thymian.jpg |
| − | ''[[Thymus amurensis]]''<br/>
| + | | image_width = 240px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical --> |
| − | ''[[Thymus bracteosus]]''<br/>
| + | | image_caption = Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) |
| − | ''[[Thymus broussonetii]]''<br/>
| + | | regnum = Plantae |
| − | ''[[Thymus caespititius]]''<br/>
| + | | divisio = Magnoliophyta |
| − | ''[[Thymus camphoratus]]''<br/>
| + | | classis = Magnoliopsida |
| − | ''[[Thymus capitatus]]''<br/>
| + | | ordo = Lamiales |
| − | ''[[Thymus capitellatus]]''<br/>
| + | | familia = Lamiaceae |
| − | ''[[Thymus camphoratus]]''<br/>
| + | | genus = Thymus |
| − | ''[[Thymus carnosus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus cephalotus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus cherlerioides]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus ciliatus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus cilicicus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus cimicinus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus comosus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus comptus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus curtus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus disjunctus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus doerfleri]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus glabrescens]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus herba-barona]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus hirsutus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus hyemalis]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus inaequalis]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus integer]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus lanuginosus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus leucotrichus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus longicaulis]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus longiflorus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus mandschuricus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus marschallianus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus mastichina]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus membranaceus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus mongolicus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus montanus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus moroderi]]<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus nervulosus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus nummularis]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus odoratissimus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus pallasianus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus pannonicus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus praecox]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus proximus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus pseudolanuginosus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus pulegioides]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus quinquecostatus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus richardii]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Wild thyme|Thymus serpyllum]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus striatus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus thracicus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus villosus]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus vulgaris]]''<br/>
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| − | ''[[Thymus zygis]]''
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| | }} | | }} |
| | + | Thyme most commonly refers to Thymus vulgaris, especially in reference to the seasoning, but it can also refer to any other species in the [[thymus]] genus{{wp}}. |
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| − | '''Thyme''' (''Thymus'') Pronounced ˈtīm <u>also</u> ˈthīm (source - Merriam-Webster & Encyclopedia Britannica) is a genus of about 350 species of aromatic [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous|herbaceous plants]] and [[sub-shrub]]s to 40 cm tall, in the family [[Lamiaceae]] and native to [[Europe]], North [[Africa]] and [[Asia]]. A number of species have different [[chemotype]]s. The stems tend to be narrow or even wiry; the [[leaf|leaves]] are [[evergreen]] in most species, arranged in opposite pairs, oval, entire, and small, 4-20 mm long. The [[flower]]s are in dense terminal heads, with an uneven calyx, with the upper lip three-lobed, and the lower cleft; the corolla is tubular, 4-10 mm long, and white, pink or purple.
| + | {{Inc| |
| | + | Thymus vulgaris, Linn. Common Thyme. Subshrub, erect, 6 in. high: sts. sometimes decumbent at base: branches stiff and woody, usually white-pubescent: lvs. sessile, 3-6 lines long, linear- or ovate-lanceolate, fascicled at the axils; floral lvs. lanceolate, obtuse: floral whorls lax interrupted spikes: fls. small, lilac or purplish, calyx-teeth of upper lip lanceolate, of lower subulate. S. Eu. —An old garden plant, being grown as a sweet-herb. The lvs. and shoots are used for seasoning. It is well to renew the plants from seeds every 2 or 3 years. There are varieties with broad and narrow lvs. |
| | + | {{SCH}} |
| | + | }} |
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| − | ''Thymus'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some ''[[Lepidoptera]]'' insect species including ''[[Chionodes|Chionodes distinctella]]'' and the ''[[Coleophora]]'' case-bearers ''C. lixella'', ''C. niveicostella'', ''C. serpylletorum'' and ''C. struella'' (the latter three feed exclusively on ''Thymus'').
| + | ==Cultivation== |
| | + | {{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line --> |
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| − | ===History=== | + | ===Propagation=== |
| − | [[Ancient Egypt]]ians used thyme in [[embalming]]. The [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greeks]] used it in their baths and burnt it as [[incense]] in their temples, believing that thyme was a source of [[courage]]. It was thought that the spread of thyme throughout Europe was thanks to the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]], as they used it to purify their rooms. In the European [[Middle Ages]], the herb was placed beneath pillows to aid sleep and ward off nightmares. (Huxley 1992). In this period, women would also often give knights and warriors gifts that included thyme leaves as it was believed to bring courage to the bearer. Thyme was also used as incense and placed on [[coffin]]s during funerals as it was supposed to assure passage into the next life.<ref>[http://www.englishplants.co.uk/thyme.html]</ref>
| + | {{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line --> |
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| − | ===Cultivation=== | + | ===Pests and diseases=== |
| − | Thyme is widely cultivated as a grown for its strong flavour, which is due to its content of [[thymol]].<ref>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan.</ref>
| + | {{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line --> |
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| − | Thyme likes a hot sunny location with good-draining soil. It is planted in the spring and thereafter grows as a perennial. It can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or by dividing rooted sections of the plant. It tolerates drought well.<ref>http://www.global-garden.com.au/gardenherbs5.htm#Garden%20Thyme Herb File. Global Garden.</ref>
| + | ==Species== |
| | + | <!-- This section should be renamed Cultivars if it appears on a page for a species (rather than genus), or perhaps Varieties if there is a mix of cultivars, species, hybrids, etc --> |
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| − | Thyme retains its flavour on drying better than many other herbs.
| + | ==Gallery== |
| | + | {{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery --> |
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| − | ===Culinary use===
| + | <gallery> |
| − | Thyme is used most widely in cooking. Thyme is a basic ingredient in [[French cuisine|French]] and [[Italian cuisine|Italian]] cuisines, and in those derived from them. It is also widely used in [[Lebanese cuisine|Lebanese]] and [[Caribbean cuisine|Caribbean]] cuisines.<p>
| + | Image:Upload.png| photo 1 |
| | + | Image:Upload.png| photo 2 |
| | + | Image:Upload.png| photo 3 |
| | + | </gallery> |
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| − | Thyme is often used to flavour meats, soups and stews. It has a particular affinity to and is often used as a primary flavour with lamb, tomatoes and eggs. <p>
| + | ==References== |
| − | | + | *[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963 |
| − | Thyme, while flavourful, does not overpower and blends well with other herbs and spices. In [[French cuisine]], along with [[bay leaf|bay]] and [[parsley]] it is a common component of the ''[[bouquet garni]]'', and of ''[[herbes de Provence]]''. In some Middle Eastern countries, the condiment ''[[za'atar]]'' contains thyme as a vital ingredient. <p>
| + | <!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 --> |
| − | | + | <!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 --> |
| − | ====Fresh, Powdered, and Dry====
| + | <!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 --> |
| − | Thyme is sold both fresh and dried. The fresh form is more flavourful but also less convenient; storage life is rarely more than a week. While summer-seasonal, fresh thyme is often available year-round. <p> Fresh thyme is commonly sold in bunches of sprigs. A sprig is a single stem snipped from the plant. It is composed of a woody stem with paired leaf or flower clusters ("leaves") spaced ½ to 1" apart. A recipe may measure thyme by the bunch (or fraction thereof), or by the sprig, or by the tablespoon or teaspoon. If the recipe does not specify fresh or dried, assume that it means fresh. <p>
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| − | Depending on how it is used in a dish, the whole sprig may be used (e.g. in a ''bouquet garni''), or the leaves removed and the stems discarded. Usually when a recipe specifies 'bunch' or 'sprig' it means the whole form; when it specifies spoons it means the leaves. It is perfectly acceptable to substitute dried for whole thyme.<p>
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| − | Leaves may be removed from stems either by scraping with the back of a knife, or by pulling through the fingers or tines of a fork. Leaves are often chopped. <p>
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| − | Thyme retains its flavour on drying better than many other herbs. Dried, and especially powdered thyme occupies less space than fresh, so less of it is required when substituted in a recipe. As a rule of thumb, use one third as much dried as fresh thyme - a little less if it is ground. Substitution is often more complicated than that because recipes can specify sprigs and sprigs can vary in yield of leaves. Assuming a 4" sprig (they are often somewhat longer), estimate that 6 sprigs will yield one tablespoon of leaves. The dried equivalent is 1:3, so substitute 1 teaspoon of dried or ¾ tsp of ground thyme for 6 small sprigs. <ref>http://www.apinchof.com/freshordriedqanda.htm</ref>
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| − | As with bay, thyme is slow to release its flavours so it is usually added early in the cooking process.
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| − | ===Medicinal Use===
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| − | The essential oil of common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is made up of 20-55% [[thymol]].<ref>Thymus Vulgaris. PDR for Herbal Medicine. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company. p. 1184.</ref> Thymol, an [[antiseptic]], is the main active ingredient in [[Listerine]] mouthwash.<ref>Pierce, Andrea. 1999. American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: Stonesong Press. P. 338-340.</ref> Before the advent of modern [[antibiotics]], it was used to medicate bandages.<ref>Grieve, Maud (Mrs.). Thyme. A Modern Herbal. Hypertext version of the 1931 edition. Accessed: December 14, 2006. http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/t/thygar16.html</ref> It has also been shown to be effective against the fungus that commonly infects toenails.<ref>Ramsewak RS, et al. In vitro antagonistic activity of monoterpenes and their mixtures against 'toe nail fungus' pathogens. Phytother Res. 2003 Apr;17(4):376-9.</ref>
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| − | A tea made by [[infusion|infusing]] the herb in water can be used for cough and [[bronchitis]].<ref>Thymus Vulgaris. PDR for Herbal Medicine. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company. p. 1184.</ref> Medicinally thyme is used for respiratory infections in the form of a [[tincture]], [[tisane]], [[salve]], [[syrup]] or by steam inhalation{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. Because it is antiseptic, thyme boiled in water and cooled is very effective against inflammation of the throat when gargled 3 times a day.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} The inflammation will normally disappear in 2 - 5 days. Other infections and wounds can be dripped with thyme that has been boiled in water and cooled.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
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| − | In traditional Jamaican childbirth practice, thyme tea is given to the mother after delivery of the baby. Its [[oxytocin]]-like effect causes uterine contractions and more rapid delivery of the placenta but this was said by Sheila Kitzinger to cause an increased prevalence of retained placenta.
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| − | ===Important species===
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| − | ''[[Thymus vulgaris]]'' (Common Thyme or Garden Thyme) is a commonly used [[herb|culinary herb]]. It also has medicinal uses. Common thyme is a [[Mediterranean]] perennial which is best suited to well-drained soils and enjoys full sun.
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| − | ''[[Thymus herba-barona]]'' (Caraway Thyme) is used both as a culinary herb and a groundcover, and has a strong [[caraway]] scent due to the chemical [[carvone]].
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| − | ''Thymus × citriodorus'' (Citrus Thyme; hybrid ''T. pulegioides'' × ''T. vulgaris'') is also a popular culinary herb, with [[cultivar]]s selected with flavours of various ''[[Citrus]]'' fruit (lemon thyme, etc.)
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| − | ''[[Thymus pseudolanuginosus]]'' (Woolly Thyme) is not a culinary herb, but is grown as a ground cover.
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| − | ''[[Thymus serpyllum]]'' (Wild Thyme) is an important [[nectar source]] plant for [[honeybee]]s. All thyme species are nectar sources, but wild thyme covers large areas of droughty, rocky soils in southern Europe (Greece is especially famous for wild thyme honey) and North Africa, as well as in similar landscapes in the [[Berkshire Mountains]] and [[Catskill Mountains]] of the northeastern US.
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| − | ===Various cultivars===
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| − | There are a number of different cultivars of thyme with established or growing popularity, including:
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| − | * Lemon thyme -- actually smells lemony
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| − | * Variegated lemon thyme -- with bi-color leaves
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| − | * Orange thyme -- an unusually low-growing, ground cover thyme that smells like orange
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| − | * Creeping thyme -- the lowest-growing of the widely used thymes, good for walkways
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| − | * Silver thyme -- white/cream variegated
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| − | * English thyme -- the most common
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| − | * Summer thyme -- unusually strong flavor
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| − | == Notes ==
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| − | {{reflist}}
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| − | ==References==
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| − | *[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=132935 Flora of China: ''Thymus'']
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| − | *[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Thymus&SPECIES_XREF=&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Flora Europaea: ''Thymus'']
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| − | *Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan.
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| − | *Rohde, E. S. (1920). ''A Garden of Herbs''.
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| | ==External links== | | ==External links== |
| | + | *{{wplink}} |
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| − | *[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Thymus+vulgaris Plants for a Future, database entry]
| + | {{stub}} |
| − | *[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/t/thygar16.html 'A Modern Herbal' (Grieves 1931)]
| + | [[Category:Categorize]] |
| − | *[http://www.thymus.co.uk Website dedicated to Thyme, including research on nomenclature, synonyms list, thyme in the wild, growing thyme in the garden, Plant Portraits.]
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| − | {{Herbs & spices}}
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| − | [[Category:Lamiaceae]]
| + | <!-- in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions! --> |
| − | [[Category:Herbs]]
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| − | [[Category:Medicinal plants]]
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