Basil thyme (Clinopodium acinos, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 513 (1891))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: (L.) Kuntze

Bibliography: Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 513 (1891)

Year: 1891

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Clinopodium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Siberia and Iran

Description

Basil thyme, scientifically identified as Clinopodium acinos, is a perennial herb that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This aromatic plant is revered not only for its delicate appearance but also for its versatile uses in both culinary and medicinal applications. Originally documented by (L.) Kuntze in 1891 in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 513, basil thyme has long captured the attention of botanists and herbalists alike.

This herb thrives across a broad geography, primarily ranging from Europe through Central Siberia and extending to Iran. Its adaptability to various climates has facilitated its spread and naturalization in diverse environments.

Basil thyme is distinguished by its slender, erect stems and small, ovate leaves that emit a faint, pleasing aroma when crushed. During the blooming season, it produces clusters of small, tubular flowers that can be white, pink, or purple, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden.

Traditionally, basil thyme has been utilized for its beneficial properties, including its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. It is often incorporated into teas, infusions, and essential oils, providing relief from common ailments such as sore throats and digestive issues.

In the kitchen, basil thyme’s mild yet distinctive flavor makes it a perfect companion to a variety of dishes. It can be used to enhance the taste of meats, vegetables, and even baked goods, adding a subtle hint of spice and a pleasant fragrance.

Overall, basil thyme, with its historical significance and practical uses, remains a cherished plant in both natural medicine and culinary arts. Its widespread distribution from Europe to regions of Iran underscores its resilience and enduring popularity.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig voldtimian, voldtimian
Eng: basil thyme, basil-thyme, basil balm, mother-of-thyme, spring savory
Deu: feld-steinquendel, gewöhnlicher steinquendel
Nld: kleine steentijm
Swe: harmynta, hartimjan
Fra: sarriette acinos, calament acinos, pouliot des champs
Cym: brenhinllys, brenhinllys y maes
En: Basil thyme, Basil-thyme, Basil balm, Mother-of-thyme, Spring savory
Ar: زعتر الريحان
Be: Душыца палявая
Bg: Полски ацинос
Hr: Kamenjarska gorska metvica
Cs: Pamětník rolní
Da: Almindelig Voldtimian, Voldtimian
Nl: Kleine steentijm
Et: Väike nõmmemünt
Fi: Ketokäenminttu
Fr: Sarriette acinos, Calament acinos, Pouliot des champs, Calament des champs, Sariette des champs, Clinopode des champs, Petit Basilic, Petit Basilic sauvage, Thym basilic
De: Gewöhnlicher Steinquendel, Feld-Steinquendel, Stein-Bergminze, Stein-Kölme
It: Acino annuale
Fa: آویشنک رایج
Pl: Czyścica drobnokwiatowa
Es: Albahaca menor
Sv: Harmynta, Hartimjan
Cy: Brenhinllys, Brenhinllys y Maes

Synonyms

• Thymus diffusus (Bluff & Fingerh.)
• Acinos acinos ((L.) Huth)
• Acinos arvensis subsp. villosus ((Pers.) Soják)
• Acinos arvensis subsp. eglandulosus ((Klokov) Tzvelev)
• Thymus acinos var. subglabra (Lej.)
• Ziziphora schizodonta ((Klokov) Melnikov)
• Satureja acinos f. albiflora (H.Lindb. ex Hiitonen)
• Ziziphora villosa ((Pers.) Melnikov)
• Ziziphora subcrispa ((Klokov) Melnikov)
• Ziziphora acuminata ((Friv.) Melnikov)
• Thymus acinos var. incanotomentosus (Lej. & Courtois)
• Calamintha villosa ((Pers.) A.Terracc.)
• Acinos eglandulosus (Klokov)
• Acinos arvensis var. acuminatus ((Friv.) Šilic)
• Acinos arvensis var. villosus ((Pers.) Šilic)
• Acinos schizodontus (Klokov)
• Calamintha acinos f. lancifolia ((Murb.) Bolzon)
• Acinos arvensis var. perennans ((Vis.) Šilic)
• Thymus acinos var. villosus ((Pers.) Lej.)
• Satureja acinos var. lancifolia ((Murb.) Briq.)
• Thymus canescens (Dumort.)
• Melissa acinos ((L.) Benth.)
• Ziziphora acinos ((L.) Melnikov)
• Acinos thymoides var. villosus ((Pers.) Vis.)
• Calamintha acinos ((L.) Clairv.)
• Satureja acinos var. canescens ((Dumort.) T.Durand)
• Acinos villosus var. argutus (Rchb.)
• Acinos thymoides (Moench)
• Acinos acuminatus (Friv.)
• Thymus acinos var. alpinus (Mérat)
• Calamintha acinos var. lancifolia (Murb.)
• Thymus concinnus (Salisb.)
• Faucibarba acinos ((L.) Dulac)
• Clinopodium acinos subsp. villosum ((Pers.) Peruzzi & F.Conti)
• Calamintha heterophylla ((Poir.) Heynh.)
• Thymus acinos var. vulgaris (Lej. & Courtois)
• Ziziphora eglandulosa ((Klokov) Melnikov)
• Thymus arvensis ((Lam.) Schur)
• Calamintha acinos var. villosa ((Pers.) Gaudin)
• Acinos arvensis var. argutus ((Rchb.) Šilic)
• Calamintha arvensis (Lam.)
• Acinos thymoides var. perennans (Vis.)
• Acinos arvensis var. lancifolius ((Murb.) Šilic)
• Melissa arvensis ((Lam.) Bubani)
• Calamintha acinos f. villosa ((Pers.) Bolzon)
• Satureja acinos var. ellpitica (Briq.)
• Acinos clinopodiifacie (Gilib.)
• Satureja acinos ((L.) Scheele)
• Thymus heterophyllus (Poir.)
• Ziziphora infecta ((Klokov) Melnikov)
• Acinos infectus (Klokov)
• Acinos villosus (Pers.)
• Acinos vulgaris var. villosus ((Pers.) Boenn.)
• Thymus gibbosus (Stokes)
• Acinos arvensis ((Lam.) Dandy)
• Acinos subcrispus (Klokov)
• Thymus acinos (L.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Apr 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2022 by Andrea Capuano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by John Thompson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 10, 2020 by Alexandra Melas (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Шамхалов Магомед (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by pasquale pianese (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2007 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 25, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2011 by Tela Botanica − George FOWLER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jun 23, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Julien BARATAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 20, 2020 by Daniel Knüttel (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2927118)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:445709-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Clinopodium acinos (L.) Kuntze)

Specifications

Growth

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]