Thymus capitatus (Conehead Thyme)
Thymus capitatus, also known as Thymbra capitata or Coridothymus capitatus, is commonly called Conehead Thyme or Spanish Oregano.
A small, aromatic, evergreen shrub with a compact cushion form. It has small dark green leaves along white stems topped with conical heads of tiny purple-pink flowers and green bracts.
It is a drought-tolerant shrub native to the Mediterranean basin.
Conehead Thyme scientific name
- Botanical name: Thymus capitatus (TY-muss Kap-ih-TAH-tus)
- Family: Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
- Common name: Conehead Thyme, Spanish Oregano
- Synonyms: Thymbra capitata, Cordiothymus capitatus, Satureja capitata
|There are several versions of the origin of the name:
1- From the Greek word thymon meaning smoke or to fumigate. Related to its use as an incense for its fragrance.
2- From the Greek word thumos meaning courage. Thyme symbolised bravery.
3- From the Greek word thymos, meaning perfume. Because of its intense fragrance
|Means to have flowers, fruits or the whole plant growing in a dense head. Referring to the dense flower head of this plant.
How to identify Thymus capitatus
Small, aromatic evergreen shrub with a cushion shape that slowly forms a ground cover.
It has many silvery white stems full of small dark green leaves and is topped with conical spikes of tiny purple-pink flowers and green bracts. When it blooms, it gets completely covered with purple blossoms.
Very aromatic, with a powerful, pungent and spicy smell (similar to savoury).
In prolonged drought, the foliage can become partially deciduous, revealing the silvery structure of the branches.
The shrub has an average height of 40 cm (1.3 ft) and a width of 40 to 50 cm ( 1.3 to 1.6 ft).
The stems are upright, woody and much branched. Their colour is silvery-white because they are densely covered with short whitish hairs.
They are squared, with opposite leaves at each node, with tufts of smaller foliage in the leaf axils.
Flower heads appear on the terminal part of the stem.
The leaf is dark-green, fleshy, and not very hairy.
It has a linear-lanceolate shape with flat margins and no stalk.
The size varies between 5 to 10 mm ( 0.2 to 0.4 in) long and 1 to 1.5 mm (0.04 to 0.06 in) wide.
The inflorescence has a conical form and varies between 11 to 15 mm (0.4 to 0.6 in) in height and 10-12 mm ( 0.4 to 0.5 ) in width. It comprises tiny flowers and bracts that overlap, forming cone-like heads.
The flowers are purple-pink with a fused corolla. They are two-lipped, the upper lip has 2 lobes almost fused into one, and the lower lip has 3 lobes. The stamens are also purple-pink and stick out from inside the corolla.
The flowers bloom in the summer and form a dense purple cushion of blossoms with a lovely appearance.
Thymus capitatus usage
The Conehead thyme, with its dense cushion form covered with purple-pink flowers during the flowering season, is very attractive and appreciated as an ornamental plant.
It can be used as a solitary plant or planted in groups. Can be planted in pots, beds or borders.
It is very interesting as a ground cover and a good choice for rock gardens, gravel gardens, herb gardens and seaside gardens.
Suited for drought-tolerant and low-maintenance gardens.
Thymus capitatus has been used as a medicinal herb for many centuries. The essential oil is antiseptic and is used for many health problems.
Internally it is used to treat cough, throat and lung infections, indigestion, gastritis, and diarrhoea. Externally it is used as a gargle for gum disease and as a wash to treat wounds and skin fungal infections.
Many studies have shown that this plant has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant activity.
Research has also confirmed its antinociceptive activity (treatment of pain).
It cannot be used in aromatherapy because it is strongly irritant to the mucous membranes.
The essential oil obtained from the Conehead Thyme, also known as “Spanish oregano oil”, has deodorant and disinfectant properties.
It is used in perfumery, soaps, toothpaste, and mouthwash solutions.
Conehead Thyme is used in culinary, either dry or fresh. It has a savoury (salty and spicy) flavour.
Can be added to salads and also used in cooked meals such as roasted, stewed and grilled meats
It is one of the ingredients of the herb mix “Zaatar” used in Middle Eastern cuisine.
The nectar of Thymus capitatus flowers is the main source of the famous Greek Hymettus honey. This thyme is found on the slopes of Mount Hymettus (near Athens).
The pretty flowers of Conehead Thyme are rich in nectar and very attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. This enhances the biodiversity of your garden.
Thyme symbolises love and courage. The knight´s cloaks and tunics would have thyme leaves embroidered by their loved ones.
Greeks believed that thyme would bring courage and motivation and used thyme sprigs in baths and the clothes of knights before battles.
Thymus capitatus habitat
This shrub can be seen in dry, rocky areas, scrublands and coastal areas throughout the Mediterranean basin.
It is extremely resistant to adverse environments growing well in arid terrain with low nutritional value and sunny exposure. It can also tolerate maritime exposure.
How to care for Thymus capitatus
It’s a hardy plant and tolerates temperatures down to -10ºC (14ºF) and winter frosts.
However, when the plant is not yet established, it will need winter protection during the first few years. You should cover the root area with mulch to protect the roots from low temperatures.
This plant needs full sun exposure, at least 6 hours per day.
Conehead thyme likes poor, well-drained stony soils. It favours neutral and mildly alkaline soils, although it can tolerate slightly acidic soils also.
Thymus capitatus is native to the Mediterranean basin and adapted to hot, dry summers. So it rarely needs watering once established. It especially dislikes humid winters.
This plant has very low water needs and can survive approximately 5 months of drought it the temperature is not too hot.
During its evolution, it developed mechanisms for drought tolerance:
- Hairy branches and leaves to trap moisture
- Symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal root fungi provides water and nutrients in exchange for carbohydrates.
During the first two years after planting, you will need to water the young thyme every two to three weeks during the summer. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. In case of a heat wave, water more frequently. Monitor your plants closely and look out for any signs of stress.
When watering, you need to do it abundantly, giving the soil a generous soak so the water can penetrate deeply into the soil to allow the roots to grow deeply.
To preserve the soil´s moisture, you should add mulch around the root area of the Thyme (but not too close to the base). Wood chips and gravel are good options for mulching.
Gravel mulch is also useful during the winter to protect the foliage from the wet soil.
This plant can endure strong winds and maritime exposure. But it dislikes wet conditions, especially in winter.
How to prune Thymus capitatus
This thyme needs to be pruned a couple of times during the year to remain vigorous and beautiful.
Ideally, you should give it a light prune in the spring and then a harder pruning in late summer after flowering to encourage bushiness. Be careful to always prune above the leaf, as the stems will not regrow if it is cut back too hard.
Thyme should be harvested just before flowering when it has the highest quantity of essential oil.
How to propagate Thymus capitatus
Propagation by seed
Thyme can be propagated by seed, but germination can be erratic.
Sow them in spring in a cold frame or the autumn in a greenhouse. Sow seed on the surface. Do not cover or barely cover as they need light to germinate. The seeds usually germinate in 2 to 4 weeks at around 15ºC (60ºF).
When the seedlings are strong enough to handle, you can plant them in individual pots and grow them in the greenhouse or cold frame. Gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions before planting in the final location after the last frosts in spring or in autumn.
When transplanting, pinch each stem’s tip to stimulate more branching to create a bushy form.
Propagation by cuttings
Thyme is easy to propagate from cuttings.
Semi-ripe cuttings can be taken from mid-summer to early autumn. Take a 5 to 8 cm (2.7 to 4 in) cutting with a heel or at a node from the current year’s growth. Roots will form within a few weeks. Semi-ripe cuttings can be placed in a cold frame over winter.
Plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts.
Basal cuttings of young shoots can be taken in the spring. Roots will form in a frame (to maintain moisture) during the summer, and the plant will be ready to plant in the final spot in autumn.
Propagation by layering
Thyme can also be propagated by layering the branches at any time during the year. Bend the stem down, hold it to the ground with a peg or rock, and cover it with soil.
Propagation by division
This plant can be divided in spring or autumn.
Dig up the plant and carefully divide it into 2 or 3 smaller sections. Each section should have a robust root structure.
The divisions with larger roots can be planted directly in their final position in the garden.
The smaller divisions with less developed roots will first need to be potted and grown in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are strong enough to be planted in the garden.
Other Thymes you may also like
Sources of information used for this article
Article from Jardin Sec
Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the Western Mediterranean, Second edition Paperback – 1 Oct. 2021 by Chris Thorogood
Thymus capitate (Conyhead Thyme) ni aina ya mimea ya asili ya Uhispania inayojulikana kama Thymbra capitate, Corydothymus capitate, na Thymia capitate. Mti mdogo wenye harufu nzuri, wenye majani ya kijani kibichi wenye umbo la mto. Ina majani madogo ya rangi ya kijani-kibichi kando ya shina jeupe lililo na vichwa vya mviringo vya maua madogo ya rangi ya zambarau na bracts za kijani-kibichi. Ni kichaka kinachoweza kuvumilia ukame ambacho hutoka katika bonde la Mediterania. "Jina la Kigiriki la ""Thyme"" ni ""Thyme capitate"" (Thyme capitate) na jina la Kigiriki la ""Thyme capitate"" (Thyme capitate) ni ""Thyme capitate"" (Thyme capitate) na jina la Kigiriki la ""Thyme capitate"" (Thyme capitate) ni ""Thyme capitate"" (Thyme capitate)." Inahusiana na matumizi yake kama uvumba kwa ajili ya harufu yake. "2 - Neno la Kigiriki ""thumos"" linamaanisha ujasiri." Thyme iliwakilisha ujasiri. "Neno hilo linatokana na neno la Kigiriki thymos, linalomaanisha ""mafuta ya manukato.""" Kwa sababu ya harufu yake kali, ina maana ya kuwa na maua, matunda au mmea mzima ukikua katika kichwa kirefu. Linarejelea kichwa cha maua chenye umbo la mimea hiyo. Thymus capitatus ni kichaka kidogo chenye harufu nzuri chenye rangi ya kijani kibichi ambacho hufanyiza kifuniko cha chini polepole. Mti huo una shina nyingi nyeupe zenye rangi ya fedha, na majani madogo ya kijani-kibichi, na juu yake kuna matawi madogo ya rangi ya waridi na rangi ya kijani-kibichi. Inapofungua, hufunikwa kabisa na maua ya zambarau. Aromatic sana, na nguvu, pungent na vikolezo harufu (kama ya salty). Katika ukame wa muda mrefu, majani yanaweza kuwa na majani mengi, na hivyo kufunua umbo la fedha la matawi. Mti huo una urefu wa wastani wa sentimita 40 na upana wa sentimita 40 hadi 50. Mashina yake ni wima, yenye mbao na yenye matawi mengi. Rangi yao ni nyeupe-fedha kwa sababu wamefunikwa kwa nywele fupi nyeupe. Wao ni mraba, na majani kinyume katika kila node, na tufts ya majani madogo katika axils jani. Vichwa vya maua huonekana kwenye sehemu ya mwisho ya shina. Jani ni la rangi ya kijani-kibichi, lenye nyama, na halina nywele nyingi. Ina umbo la mstari-lanceolate na kingo gorofa na hakuna shina. Ukubwa wake unatofautiana kati ya 5 hadi 10 mm kwa urefu na 1 hadi 1.5 mm kwa upana. Maua ya maua ni ya conical na inatofautiana kati ya 11 hadi 15 mm (0.4 hadi 0.6 in) kwa urefu na 10-12 mm (0.4 hadi 0.5 in) kwa upana. Ina maua madogo-madogo na viungo vinavyofanana, vikifanyiza vichwa vinavyofanana na koni. Maua yake ni ya rangi ya zambarau-rangi ya waridi yenye mviringo uliounganishwa. Mwili wa mnyama huyo una midomo miwili, mdomo wa juu una vipande viwili vilivyounganishwa katika kipande kimoja, na mdomo wa chini una vipande vitatu. Vipande vya shina pia ni vya rangi ya zambarau-rangi na huonekana kutoka ndani ya shina. Maua hayo huchanua wakati wa kiangazi na kufanyiza mviringo mzito wa maua yenye rangi ya zambarau yenye kuvutia. Thymus capitate ni mmea wa mapambo na kwa sababu ya umbo lake la mviringo, hufunikwa na maua ya rangi ya zambarau wakati wa msimu wa maua, ni mzuri sana na unathaminiwa kama mmea wa mapambo. Inaweza kutumiwa kama mmea wa pekee au kupandwa katika vikundi. Inaweza kupandwa katika sufuria, vitanda au mipaka. Ni nzuri sana kama kifuniko cha ardhi na chaguo nzuri kwa bustani za mwamba, bustani za mchanga, bustani za mimea na bustani za pwani. Inafaa kwa ajili ya bustani mvua-kuvumilia na chini ya matengenezo. Thymus capitatus imetumiwa kama mimea ya dawa kwa karne nyingi. Mafuta hayo ni yenye kuzuia kuambukiza na hutumiwa kutibu matatizo mengi ya afya. Inatumiwa ndani kutibu kikohozi, maambukizo ya koo na mapafu, ugonjwa wa kumeng'enya chakula, gastritis, na kuhara. Kwa nje hutumiwa kama dawa ya kuosha meno kwa ajili ya magonjwa ya taya na kama dawa ya kuosha ili kutibu majeraha na maambukizo ya kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa. Uchunguzi mwingi umeonyesha kwamba mmea huo una uwezo wa kuzuia viini, kuua kuvu, na kuzuia viini. Utafiti pia umethibitisha utendaji wake wa kuzuia maumivu (kutibu maumivu). Haiwezi kutumiwa katika aromatherapy kwa sababu ni nguvu irritant kwa utando wa utando. Mafuta muhimu yanayotokana na Conehead Thyme, yanayojulikana pia kama "mafuta ya oregano ya Hispania", yana uwezo wa kuondoa harufu na kuua viini. Inatumiwa kutengeneza manukato, sabuni, dawa za meno, na dawa za kuosha kinywa. Timu ya Conehead hutumiwa katika upishi, ama kavu au safi. Ina ladha ya chumvi na vikolezo. Inaweza kuongezwa kwenye saladi na pia kutumika katika vyakula vilivyopikwa kama vile nyama iliyokaangwa, iliyokaangwa na iliyokaangwa.Ni moja ya viungo vya mchanganyiko wa mimea ya Za'atar inayotumiwa katika vyakula vya Mashariki ya Kati. Mchuzi wa maua ya Thymus capitatus ndio chanzo kikuu cha asali maarufu ya Kigiriki ya Hymettus. Mti huo hupatikana kwenye mteremko wa Mlima Hymettus (karibu na Athene). Maua maridadi ya Conehead Thyme yana nectar nyingi na yanavutia sana nyuki, vipepeo, na wadudu wengine wanaopiga chavua. Hilo huongeza utofauti wa viumbe katika bustani yako. Thyme hufananisha upendo na ujasiri. Mavazi na mavazi ya farasi yangekuwa na majani ya thyme yaliyopakwa kwa mapambo na wapendwa wao. Wagiriki waliamini kwamba mti huo ulileta ujasiri na msukumo, na walitumia matawi ya mti huo katika kuoga na mavazi ya wapiganaji wa vita. Thymus capitatus habitat Hii shrub inaweza kuonekana katika maeneo kavu, miamba, scrublands na maeneo ya pwani katika bonde la Mediterania. Ni sugu sana kwa mazingira mabaya kukua vizuri katika eneo kavu na thamani ya chini ya lishe na mwangaza wa jua. Pia inaweza kuvumilia mwangaza wa baharini. Thymus capitate ni mmea wa kudumu na huvumilia joto hadi -10oC (14oF) na baridi kali. Hata hivyo, wakati mmea huo haujaanzishwa, utahitaji ulinzi wa majira ya baridi kali katika miaka michache ya kwanza. Unapaswa kufunika eneo la mizizi kwa mulch ili kulinda mizizi kutoka kwa joto la chini. Mti huu unahitaji kuangazwa kabisa na jua, angalau saa sita kwa siku. Mti wa thyme unaitwa conehead hupenda udongo wenye mawe usio na maji mengi. Inapendelea udongo usio na sumu na wenye chumvi kidogo, ingawa inaweza kuvumilia udongo wenye asidi kidogo pia. Mti huo unaitwa thymus capitatus na unapatikana katika eneo la Mediterania na umebadilika ili uweze kuishi wakati wa majira ya joto na kavu. Kwa hiyo, mara tu inapokuwa imeanzishwa, ni nadra sana kuihitaji maji. Hasa hapendi majira ya baridi kali yenye unyevunyevu. Mti huu una mahitaji ya chini sana ya maji na unaweza kuishi karibu miezi mitano ya ukame ikiwa joto haliko moto sana. Katika mageuzi yake, ilibuni mifumo ya kuvumilia ukame: matawi yenye nywele na majani ili kukamata unyevu - Uhusiano wa ushirikiano na uyoga wa mizizi ya mycorrhizal hutoa maji na virutubisho kwa kubadilishana na wanga. Katika miaka miwili ya kwanza baada ya kupanda, unahitaji kumwagilia maji kila baada ya majuma mawili au matatu wakati wa kiangazi. Acha udongo ukauke kati ya kunyunyizia maji. Katika hali ya joto kali, maji mara nyingi zaidi. Angalia mimea yako kwa makini na uangalie ishara zozote za mkazo. Wakati wa kunyunyizia, unapaswa kufanya hivyo kwa wingi, ukitoa udongo kwa kiasi kikubwa ili maji yaweze kupenya ndani ya udongo ili kuruhusu mizizi kukua kwa kina. Ili kuhifadhi unyevu wa udongo, unapaswa kuongeza mulch karibu na eneo la mizizi ya Thyme (lakini si karibu sana na msingi). Vipande vya mbao na mchanga ni njia nzuri za kufunika udongo. Mchanga wa mchanga pia ni muhimu wakati wa majira ya baridi kali ili kulinda majani kutokana na udongo wenye unyevunyevu. Mti huo unaweza kuvumilia upepo mkali na upepo wa baharini. Lakini hapendi hali ya unyevu, hasa wakati wa majira ya baridi kali. Kwa mfano, kwa sababu ya thymus capitate, ni muhimu kuondoa mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea. Kwa mfano, unapaswa kuipanda kwa majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani ya majani. Uwe mwangalifu kukata miti kila wakati juu ya jani, kwa kuwa shina halitakua tena ikiwa litakatwa kwa nguvu sana. Mti huo unapaswa kuvunwa kabla tu ya kuchipua wakati unapokuwa na kiasi kikubwa zaidi cha mafuta muhimu. Jinsi ya kuzalisha Thymus capitatus Kuzalisha kwa mbegu Thyme inaweza kuzalishwa kwa mbegu, lakini kuota kunaweza kuwa na kasoro. Zipandeni wakati wa masika katika chumba chenye baridi kali au wakati wa vuli katika nyumba ya kijani kibichi. Panda mbegu juu ya uso. Usifunike au ufunike kidogo kwa kuwa zinahitaji nuru ili zitokeze. Mbegu huchanua kwa wiki mbili hadi nne kwa joto la karibu 15 ° C. Wakati miche imara ya kutosha kushughulikia, unaweza kupanda katika sufuria za mtu binafsi na kukua katika chafu au fremu baridi. Kwa hivyo, kwa hatua kwa hatua, weka mimea kwenye hali ya nje kabla ya kupanda katika eneo la mwisho baada ya baridi ya mwisho katika majira ya kuchipua au vuli. Wakati wa kupandikiza, pinch kila ncha ya shina ili kuchochea matawi zaidi ili kuunda fomu ya kichaka. Kueneza kwa cuttings Thyme ni rahisi kueneza kutoka cuttings. Vipande vilivyoiva vyaweza kuchukuliwa kuanzia katikati ya kiangazi hadi mwanzoni mwa vuli. Kuchukua 5 hadi 8 cm (2.7 hadi 4 in) kukata na kisigino au katika node kutoka mwaka wa sasa ukuaji. Mizizi itafanyizwa ndani ya majuma machache. Vipande vilivyoiva vyaweza kuwekwa katika fremu baridi wakati wa majira ya baridi kali. Zipanda mwishoni mwa majira ya kuchipua baada ya baridi kali ya mwisho inayotarajiwa. Vipande vya msingi vya shina vijana vinaweza kuchukuliwa wakati wa majira ya kuchipua. Mizizi hufanyizwa katika sura (ili kudumisha unyevu) wakati wa majira ya joto, na mmea utakuwa tayari kupanda katika mahali pa mwisho katika vuli. Kueneza kwa kuweka safu Thyme pia inaweza kuenezwa kwa kuweka safu matawi wakati wowote wakati wa mwaka. Piga shina chini, weka chini kwa kijiti au jiwe, na uifunike kwa udongo. Kueneza kwa kugawanywa Mti huu unaweza kugawanywa katika spring au vuli. Kuondoa mimea na kuigawanya kwa uangalifu katika sehemu ndogo. Kila sehemu inapaswa kuwa na muundo imara wa mizizi. Sehemu zenye mizizi mikubwa zaidi zaweza kupandwa moja kwa moja katika mahali pake pa mwisho katika bustani. Sehemu ndogo zenye mizizi iliyotengenezwa kidogo zinapaswa kwanza kupandwa kwenye chungu na kukua katika chumba cha baridi au cha chafu hadi zitakapokuwa na nguvu za kutosha kupandwa katika bustani. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika makala ya ""Jardin Sec: Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the Western Mediterranean"" iliyochapishwa na Chris Thorogood, ""Kuchunguza Maua ya Nyamapori ya Magharibi mwa Mediterania: Toleo la Pili la Paperback"" (Jardin Sec: Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the Western Mediterranean, 2nd edition, Paperback, 1 Oct 2021)."