Headed savory, Headed thyme
Thymus capitatus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It has a smell. It grows 50 cm high. It has many branches. It has leaf clusters in the axils. The leaves are narrow and fleshy. They have a flat edge. The flowers are purplish-pink. They are 7-10 mm long. They are in clusters at the ends of branches. The bracts are green. These overlap to form a cone-like head.

There are between 220 and 400 Thymus species.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows on dry hills and rocky places. It can be on sand dunes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Britain, Cyprus, Egypt, Europe, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia

How it is used for food

It is used as savoury for seasoning. It is a strongly flavoured thyme and used for roasts and grills. It is used to produce pickled thyme. It is the source of an essential oil called Spanish oreganum oil, used in the food industry for flavouring baked goods, meats, drinks, ice cream and sweets. The flowers produce the famous Hymettus honey.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Conehead Thyme, Jatrakiwilka, Persian hyssop, Spanish-oregano, Tulumbe, Yabani kekik, Za'atar farsi

Synonyms

Coridothymus capitatus (L.) Reichenb;