Mother of thyme (Thymus praecox, Naturalientausch 6: 40 (1824))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: Opiz

Bibliography: Naturalientausch 6: 40 (1824)

Year: 1824

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Thymus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Greenland, Europe to Türkiye

Description

Mother of thyme, known scientifically as Thymus praecox, is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This versatile plant has a long history of utilization, and its natural habitat spans from the icy terrains of Greenland to the diverse landscapes of Europe and stretches even into Türkiye.

First described by Opiz in 1824, Mother of thyme has since captivated botanists and herbal enthusiasts alike with its ability to thrive in a variety of climates and soils. It is cherished not only for its hardiness but also for its charming aesthetic appeal. This low-growing, creeping herb forms dense mats of aromatic foliage, interspersed with vibrant inflorescences that range in shades from soft pink to deep purple. The plant’s nuanced beauty makes it a popular choice for ground covers in gardens, rockeries, and borders, adding a touch of wild elegance to cultivated spaces.

Mother of thyme’s robust nature also translates into its ease of care. It requires well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight to flourish, making it suitable for a variety of garden environments, from rustic country gardens to modern landscape designs. Additionally, it is somewhat drought-tolerant, which further adds to its resilience and wide applicability in gardening.

Beyond its ornamental value, Thymus praecox holds notable herbal properties. It is commonly used in culinary applications where its leaves impart a subtle thyme flavor, enhancing the taste of numerous dishes. Historically, the plant has also been used in herbal remedies for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, reflecting its significance in traditional medicine practices.

Mother of thyme’s extensive habitat and applications highlight its adaptability and enduring appeal. Whether gracing the rugged terrains of Greenland or the cultivated gardens of Europe and Türkiye, this undemanding yet charming plant finds its niche, continuing to be a beloved element of both wild and cultivated environments.

Common Names

Deu: frühblühender thymian, frühblühender thymian i.w.s., kriechender thymian
Eng: mother of thyme, wild thyme, creeping thyme, mother-of-thyme
Nld: kruiptijm
Nno: kryptimian
Nob: kryptimian
Pol: macierzanka wczesna
Fra: serpolet couché, thym précoce, serpolet couchet, thym couché
Swe: junitimjan, islandstimjan
En: Mother of thyme, Creeping thyme, Red-Flowering Thyme, Wild thyme, Mother-of-thyme
Eu: Itsas ezkai
Bg: Ранна мащерка
Ca: Farigola reptant
Zh: 早花百里香
Cs: Mateřídouška časná
Da: Tidlig Timian
Nl: Kruiptijm
Fi: Nummiajuruoho
Fr: Serpolet couché, Thym précoce, Serpolet couchet, Thym couché
De: Frühblühende Thymian, Frühblühender Thymian, Kriechender Thymian, Frühblühender Thymian i.w.S., Früher Thymian
Is: Blóðerg, Blóðberg
It: Timo precoce
No: Lodnetimian
Nb: Kryptimian
Nn: Kryptimian
Fa: آویشن خزنده
Pl: Macierzanka wczesna
Ru: Чабрец ранний
Sv: Junitimjan, Islandstimjan
Cy: Teim gwyllt

Synonyms

• Thymus serpyllum var. praecox ((Opiz) Briq.)
• Thymus serpyllum f. praecox ((Opiz) Bolzon)
• Thymus serpyllum subsp. praecox ((Opiz) Vollm.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Illinois (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 1, 2020 by DV Ester (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Wolfgang Klesper (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Marie France Petibon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2022 by F. Manzano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2022 by F. Manzano (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Engel Ralf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by Deanna Finley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by breton Christiane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2022 by F. Manzano (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 24, 2022 by Roberto Messi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Rosalia Pavia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Patrice Bracquart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Rosalia Pavia (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 9, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Victoria C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 31, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2022 by Daddy Flammy (cc-by-sa)

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

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

Fruit

Taken Jun 3, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2018 by Tela Botanica − José Luis Romero Rego (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341449)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:461536-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Thymus praecox Opiz)

Specifications

Growth habit: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Growth