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Thymus caespititius - Brot.

Common Name Cretan Thyme
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry stony slopes and gullies[238].
Range S.W. Europe - Portugal, N.W. Spain.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Thymus caespititius Cretan Thyme


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ixitixel
Thymus caespititius Cretan Thyme
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Thymus caespititius is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The plant is sometimes used as a condiment in cooked foods. The fresh leaves have a tangerine-like scent and can be used with or instead of lemon-scented thyme, Thymus citriodorus[183, 238]. If the leaves are to be dried, the plants should be harvested in early and late summer just before the flowers open and the leaves should be dried quickly[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseptic  Deodorant  Disinfectant

The leaves, and especially the essential oil contained in them, are strongly antiseptic, deodorant and disinfectant[200, 238]. The plant can be used fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Deodorant  Disinfectant  Essential

The essential oil obtained from the leaves is also used in perfumery, as a mouth wash, medicinally etc[200].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a light, well-drained calcareous soil and a sunny position[200]. Plants tolerate occasional walking on and can be grown in cracks in paths, they also succeed on walls[200]. Thymes dislike wet conditions, especially in the winter. A layer of gravel on the soil around them will help protect the foliage from wet soils[238]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. There is at least one named variety. 'Celery' is a low compact grower that forms small mounds of growth. The leaves have a celery-like flavour[183]. The flowers are rich in nectar and are very attractive to honey bees[200]. This is a very difficult genus taxonomically, the species hybridize freely with each other and often intergrade into each other[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Seed can also be sown in autumn in a greenhouse. Surface sow or barely cover the seed. Germination can be erratic. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Cuttings of young shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel, May/June in a frame[200]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[200]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Thymus camphoratusCamphor ThymeShrub0.4 6-9  LMNDM022
Thymus capitatusHeaded Savory, ThymusShrub0.3 6-9  LMNDM222
Thymus cilicicusCilician ThymeShrub0.2 6-9  LMNDM122
Thymus herba-baronaCaraway ThymeShrub0.1 8-10 SLMNDM324
Thymus hirtus Shrub0.0 -  LMNDM222
Thymus mastichinaMastic ThymeShrub0.3 6-9  LMNDM222
Thymus pannonicusEurasian thymePerennial0.2 4-8  LMNDM222
Thymus praecoxMother of thyme, Creeping thyme, Woolly ThymeShrub0.1 5-8 MLMNDM223
Thymus praecox arcticusWild ThymeShrub0.1 4-8  LMNDM325
Thymus pseudolanuginosusWoolly ThymeShrub0.1 3-9 MLMNDM222
Thymus pulegioidesBroad-Leaved Thyme, lemon thymeShrub0.2 4-8  LMNDM222
Thymus quinquecostatus Shrub0.1 4-8  LMNDM222
Thymus serpyllumWild ThymeShrub0.1 5-9 MLMNDM435
Thymus vulgarisCommon Thyme, Garden thyme, Wild ThymeShrub0.2 5-11 MLMNDM435
Thymus x citriodorusLemon Thyme, Creeping Lemon Thyme, Lemon-Scented ThymeShrub0.1 5-10 MLMNDM425
Thymus zygis Shrub0.3 6-9  LMNDM222

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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