Thymus citriodorus

Cultivar with yellow-green leaves

The lemon thyme (Thymus × citriodorus ) is a hybrid of the species of Thyme (Thymus ) in the mint family.

Features

The lemon thyme is reached an evergreen subshrub, with more or less prostrate branches, the growth heights of 10 to 30 centimeters. This Chamaephyt is hardy in Central Europe. The scent is spicy or lemon-like. The branches are hairy square and round irregular. The hair is stronger than on the side surfaces at the edges. The ganzrandigen leaves are lanceolate, elliptic to rhombic- ovate shaped wrong. Their average length is about 15 mm, the plate width varies between 2 and 8 mm. The leaf margin is rolled only to the part and has the reason often individual eyelashes on. The underside is short velvety to glabrous.

The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic and fünfzählig. The upper calyx teeth are usually ciliate. The crown is brightly colored to purple - pink. The flowering period extends from June to September.

Use

The lemon thyme is a natural and cultural hybrids. It is widely used as an ornamental plant for rock gardens, borders, balconies and Planters as well as a spice and medicinal plant and is in culture at least since 1596. There are numerous varieties which are, for example, yellow, white or spotted leaves or different growth forms.

Documents

• Eckhart J. Hunter, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd Müller, K. (ed.): Rothmaler Exkursionsflora of Germany. Volume 5: Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8.
• Ecological teaching garden, Karlsruhe lemon thyme called on 24 May 2008 (PDF, 124 kB)