Nomenclature

Species name:

Thymbra capitata   (L.) Cav.

Author(s):

Carl von Linné
   Sweden, 1707-1778

Antonio José(Joseph) Cavanilles
   Spain, 1745-1804

General names:

Mediterranean Thyme
Headed savory
Conehead Thyme
Persian Hyssop
Spanish Oregano

Maltese name:

Saghtar

Plant Family:

Lamiaceae / Labiatae   (Mint Family)

Name Derivation:

Thymbra = Derived from Thymus - an ancient Greek word (even used by Aristotles)for several aromatic herbs and sub-shrubs found in the Mediterranean. (Greek);

capitata = Capitate, refers to the way the flowers form in a head-like cluster. (Latin).

Synonyms:

Thymus capitatus, Coridothymus capitatus, Satureja capitata

Plant Description

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Habitat:

Calciferous plant found in rocky arid places such as garigue and tops of several valley sides.

Sources in Malta:

Very common in many garigues especially beside coastal regions such as Siggiewi, Mellieha, Dingli, Bahrija, Gnejna and all over Gozo (eg: Ta' Cenc).

Plant Height:

20-50cm

Flowering Time:

May - Aug

The Mediterranean Thyme is low-growing shrub well known amongst the Maltese for its intense aromatic smell. It is found in leaves from December to May where flowering then starts and keeps on till about August. The perennial plant survives the hot climate extremes in Malta by its developed 'dormant' roots deep into rock gaps and cracks. The shedding of leaves in Summer and the formation of lignified stems helps the plant to tolerate arid conditions. The main stem is woody, relatively thick and often found twining and prostrate on rock. The numerous branching stems are covered by short, stiff, ash-coloured hair which helps to trap air moisture.

New leaves are small, scale-like, compact structures usually fromed in early winter after sufficient rainfall. When the stem grow staller, these leaves get further spaced apart along the stem and grows to about 10mm. They are fleshy, oppositely arranged, sessile, subglabrous, and more or less have a linear-lance shape. More sessile leaves are later produced at the axils of these older leaves which are about half or third of their length, and the ones that might be retained during summer.

The purple-pink to lavander flowers are formed in rather dense, oblong-conical heads (verticillasters) at the uppermost part of every branch. The overall inflorescence can be so numerous to give a spectacular display of purple bushes in established adult plants. Flowers are subtended by a number of leaf-like bracts and bractioles about 5-6mm long. The sessile flower is composed of a small calyx (made of 2 lips) and a tubular corolla that opens into 4 lobes - 3 lower and one upper. The central, lower lobe is usually the only one which is further decorated by dark purple/violet blobs and is found curved. The upper lobe is the broadest and as if made up of 2 fused lobes (bifid). The 4 conspicuous stamens are erect, divergent and longer from the corolla lobes. They have slender filaments of the same colour of the corolla and their anthers have a deeper purple colour. The ovary, style and stigma are hidden inside the corolla tube. The flower measures 8-11mm in length and is amongst the top favourite of many types of bees.

The fruit consists of 4 tiny oval nutlets that reside in the small calyx and drop off to the ground without any special dispersion mechanism. Being small and well stored in the calyx, the seeds are difficult to pick.

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