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Common Name:

General Information

Thymbra spicata is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.50 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. Europe - Greece to W. Asia.

Habitat

Dry sunny hillsides[]. High dry meadows in Greece[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a sunny position in most well-drained soils[].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[].
A good bee plant[].

Edible Uses

The plant is occasionally used as a condiment[]. The flavour of its essential oils is similar to those of Origanum syriacum, Thymus capitatus and Satureia thymbra[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The plant is used as an incense[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. 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.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Division in spring. 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.