Thymus pulegioides L.

Scientific Name and Growth Form

Broad-leaved thyme (Thymus pulegioides L.) is a creeping dwarf evergreen shrub with woody stems and a taproot.

Similar Species Comparison

It is quite similar to wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), but it is larger, has wider leaves, and all of its stems develop into flowering shoots.

Stem Characteristics

Its reddish stems are squarish in cross-section, with hairs growing along the edges.

Leaf Structure

Its leaves grow in opposite pairs and have short stalks; the leaf blades are linear ovate, with tapering bases and untoothed margins.

Flowering Period

This plant flowers between July and August.

Flower Arrangement and Color

Its flowers are most often pink or mauve, arranged into rounded umbels.

Calyx and Corolla Features

Each flower has a tube-shaped calyx, and an irregular straight-tubed, hairy corolla.

Petal Morphology

The upper petal is notched, while the lower petal is larger than the two lateral petals and has three flattened lobes that form a lip.

Reproductive Flower Parts

Each flower holds four projecting stamens and two fused carpels.

Fruit Type

The fruit it produces is a dry, four-chambered schizocarp.

Native Range

Broad-leaved thyme is native to temperate regions of Europe.

Habitat Soil Preferences

It grows in open, disturbed sites on light, thin, sparse soils.

Common Habitat Types

Typical habitats include hills, rocky outcrops, gravel areas, sandy locations, wasteground, and roadsides.

Cultivation Requirements

This ornamental thyme is suitable for cultivation in any well-drained alkaline or neutral soil positioned in full sun.

Garden and Culinary Uses

It works well as a groundcover, and can also be used in cooking in the same way as common thyme.

Garden Cultivars

Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden use.

Award-Winning Cultivars

Two of these cultivars, 'Aureus' which has lemon-scented gold leaves, and 'Bertram Anderson', have both earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.