Alpine calamint, Alpine basil thyme
Acinos alpinus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are 10 Acinos species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in the mountains of central and southern Europe. It grows in rocky, arid pastures. Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits plant hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Alps, Australia, Balkans, Europe, Slovenia, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for flavouring. They are also brewed into a pleasant cordial tea.

It is not commonly used.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring, leaves - tea, flowers - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alpski šetrajnik, Mountain calamint

Synonyms

Acinos alpinus subsp. baumgartenii Pawl.;