page_title: Thyme
section_title: Important species and cultivars
hierarchical_section_title: Thyme / Important species and cultivars
caption_attribution_description: Photograph of the Variegated Lemon Thyme (Thymus × citriodorus 'Variegata'). &#160;:*Photo taken at the Tyler Arboretum where it was identified. Camera and Exposure Details: Camera: Nikon Coolpix 8700 Lens: Nikon Zoom Nikkor ED 8.9-71.2mm 1:2.8-4.2 Exposure: 99.6mm (391.7mm in 35mm equivalent) f/4.7 @ 5/136 s.&#160;(50 ISO)
context_page_description: Thyme is the herb of some members of the genus Thymus of aromatic perennial evergreen herbs in the mint family Lamiaceae. Thymes are relatives of the oregano genus Origanum. They have culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses, and the species most commonly cultivated and used for culinary purposes is Thymus vulgaris.
context_section_description: Thymus citriodorus – various lemon thymes, orange thymes, lime thyme
  Thymus herba-barona (caraway thyme) is used both as a culinary herb and a ground cover, and has a very strong caraway scent due to the chemical carvone.
  Thymus praecox  (mother of thyme, wild thyme), is cultivated as an ornamental.
  Thymus pseudolanuginosus (woolly thyme) is not a culinary herb, but is grown as a ground cover.
  Thymus serpyllum (wild thyme, creeping thyme) is an important nectar source plant for honeybees. All thyme species are nectar sources, but wild thyme covers large areas of droughty, rocky soils in southern Europe (both Greece and Malta are especially famous for wild thyme honey) and North Africa, as well as in similar landscapes in the Berkshire and Catskill Mountains of the northeastern US. The lowest growing of the widely used thyme is good for walkways. It is also an important caterpillar food plant for large and common blue butterflies.
  Thymus vulgaris (common thyme, English thyme, summer thyme, winter thyme, French thyme, or garden thyme) is a commonly used culinary herb. It also has medicinal uses. Common thyme is a Mediterranean perennial which is best suited to well-drained soils and full sun.
caption: Variegated lemon thyme
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