Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum).
The Wild Thyme grows on the hills and the high heath
lands, usually among fine grasses that are close-cropped by
sheep and rabbits; or if on lower ground it will probably be
found upon the light and well-drained soil of a mole-hill among
mosses. In spite of its diminutive stature it is a shrub, with
a woody rootstock and a creeping stem, from which arise the
flowering stems. The leaves, which are very small and
stalked, are egg-shaped, with even margins, often turned under.
The rosy-purple flowers are produced in spikes. They are of
the usual labiate type, and both the calyx and the corolla are
two-lipped. The upper lip of the calyx is three-toothed, the
lower cleft in two, the whole of a purplish hue. The upper
lip of the corolla is straight and notched, the lower cut into
three lobes. There are two forms of flower smaller and larger;
the small are perfect, the larger bearing developed anthers
only. It should be noted also that in the complete flowers
the anthers shed their pollen before the stigmas are ripe;
self-fertilization is therefore impossible. The flower produce
much honey, the whole plant is highly fragrant, and in
consequence is very much visited by insects who carry the pollen.
While the stamens are ripe the pistil is short and almost
hidden within the corolla-tube; when the pollen has been shed
the style elongates, the two arms of the stigma diverge and
occupy a prominent position far outside the lips. Under this
arrangement insects alighting on the younger flowers dust
themselves with pollen, and upon visiting those a day or two
older could scarcely fail to deposit some of it upon the ripe
stigmas.
This is the only native species of a genus named from the ancient Greek name for the plant.
