Thymus mastichina L.

Spice In the field

Family: LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)

Genus: Thymus

Spanish common name: Escombrilla. Mejorana. Tomillo blanco.

Province distribution: Castelló. València.

General distribution (Phytogeography): West Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Aromatic. Edible or foodstuffs. Medicinal.

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Cultivated species. Tree heather maquis and silicolous garigues. Dry shrublands. Cultivated specie.

Characteristics: A small, woody and very aromatic plant that grows to 50 cm. in height. The young stems have a reddish tone. Leaves are ovate-lanceolate, young leaves are slightly pubescent. Flowers are white in colour and arranged in glomerules more or less cylindrical. The calyx has long teeth and is pilose.