Greek Savory

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Greek Savory
• Mediterranean Whitweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Clinopodium graecum
• Satureja graeca

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Micromeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing in the Balearic Islands, known as Baleares. The species also inhabits the island of Corsica and the territory of France. Additionally, its range extends to the coastal areas of Portugal. Finally, its geographical presence includes the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Micromeria graeca is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its ecological structure and growth habit, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by a layer of leaf litter or substrate. This chamaephyte classification is consistent across its morphological descriptions, defining its strategy for surviving seasonal fluctuations and maintaining its presence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Micromeria graeca is characterized by its growth habit and structural composition, functioning primarily as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic species. It exhibits a climbing growth form, specifically categorized as a self-supporting climber that does not rely on obligatory or facultative attachment to other structures to maintain its upright position. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining a non-parasitic life cycle. While it lacks the characteristics of an epiphyte, remaining strictly terrestrial, its physical structure is defined by its woodiness, possessing a woody stem that provides the necessary support for its developmental architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Micromeria graeca is characterized by the production of minute seeds that exhibit significant variation in weight. The seed mass within this species is remarkably low, with a measured mean value of 0.00014 g. Detailed analysis of the seed distribution reveals a range of weights, spanning from a minimum of 0.00007 g (7e-05 g) to a maximum of 0.00024 g. This lightweight seed profile is a critical component of the plant's reproductive strategy and dispersal capabilities.

Seed mass max:

0.00024 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00014 g

Seed mass min:

7e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Micromeria graeca has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include AFB1, AFLATOXIN B1, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Saponins.

AFB1

1. Toxins

AFLATOXIN B1

1. Toxins

Flavonoids

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Glycosides

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Saponins

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Sesquiterpenes

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Sterols

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Tannins

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Terpenoids

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

arabinose

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Micromeria graeca has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antihyperglycemic

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Micromeria graeca has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anti-hypertensive, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antihypertensive, antioxidant.

Anti-hypertensive

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihyperglycemic

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Antihypertensive

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Micromeria graeca has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, methanolic extracts.

Aqueous extract

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
2. Toxins

Methanolic extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)