Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Thymus L., Sp. Pl. 590-592 (1753)
Vernacular Name(s):
Thyme
 Description

Aromatic, usually gynodioecious, perennial herbs or small shrubs, dotted with glands, often mat-forming with stems creeping or decumbent and 4-angled. Lvs entire; margins often revolute. Verticels 1-many-flowered, often densely packed in a terminal head, sometimes distinct. Bracts similar or dissimilar to lvs. Calyx tube cylindric to campanulate, straight, 10–13-nerved, hairy in throat; limb usually 2-lipped with upper lip of 3 teeth and lower of 2 small, ± subulate teeth. Corolla tube included or exserted, straight; limb 2-lipped, generally hairy outside; upper lip emarginate; lower lip 3-lobed. Stamens straight, divergent, usually exserted in ☿ fls. Style gynobasic, its branches ± equal (at least in spp. in N.Z.). Nutlets smooth.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Thymus L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised2
Exotic: Casual1
Total3
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.