Uses
Edible uses
Unknown part
Material uses
Unknown part
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The leaves, and especially the essential oil contained in them, are strongly antiseptic, deodorant and disinfectant[1][2][3]. The plant can be used fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use[3].
Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Seed can also be sown in autumn in a greenhouse. Surface sow or barely cover the seed. Germination can be erratic. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn[2]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Cuttings of young shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel, May/June in a frame[2]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[2]. Layering.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Thymus mastichina. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Requires a light well-drained preferably calcareous soil in a sunny position[4][2]. Succeeds in dry soils. Thymes dislike wet conditions, especially in the winter. A layer of gravel on the soil around them will help protect the foliage from wet soils[3]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c[2], but are best given some protection in the winter - a pane of glass supported over the plant is usually sufficient[4]. The flowers are rich in nectar and are very attractive to honey bees[2]. The bruised leaves are powerfully aromatic[5]. This is a very difficult genus taxonomically, the species hybridize freely with each other and often intergrade into each other[4].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Thymus mastichina. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Thymus mastichina.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
References
- ? 1.01.11.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
- ? 2.002.012.022.032.042.052.062.072.082.092.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
- ? 4.04.14.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
- ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
- ? Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
- ? Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
- ? Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
- ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)