Plateau thyme
Thymus mongolicus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb that lies along the ground. It keeps growing from year to year. It forms roots at the nodes. The erect stems are 2-7 cm high and narrow. They are 1 mm across. They have white hairs. The leaves are narrowly oval. It is 4-10 mm long by 2-5 mm wide. The flowers are rose-purple. They are in clusters near the ends of branches. There are 6-10 flowers in a ring.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows in north-western China. It grows in grassland on arid plateau areas. It grows between 1,100-3,600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Mongolia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Thymus serpyllum L. ssp. mongolicus Ronniger;