Thymus vulgaris L. subsp. mansanetianus P.P.Ferrer, A.Navarro, E.Laguna & Mateo.
Family: LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)
Genus: Thymus
Province distribution: València.
General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Iberian)
Plants protected by law: País Valencià Catalogue.
IUCN Category: Not evaluated
Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Life-forms: Chameophyte.
Habitats: Quercus coccifera and Chamaerops humilis litoral maquis. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. It grows in open, very sunny and dry shrublands (despite receiving significant rainfall), on marly-clayey and slightly stony soils.
Characteristics: Low-growing, mat-forming perennial. Stems are prostrate, arched, pubescent, and rooting, not rising more than 10 cm but extending up to 30 cm. Leaves are linear or linear-lanceolate, with strongly rolled margins, lacking cilia on both petiole and edges. Inflorescences 1-3 cm long, with leaf-like bracts and flowers bearing a bell-shaped calyx with ciliate teeth and yellowish glands, and a white or slightly pinkish corolla. Both hermaphroditic and female flowers are present (gynodioecious plant).
Observations: This subspecies is distinguished by its creeping growth, with stems that arch and root upon contact with the soil, and by its very narrow leaves with markedly revolute margins, traits that clearly separate it from the subspecies vulgaris and aestivus.