savory of Crete

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Thyme-leaved Savory
• pink savory

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Satureja tragoriganum
• Micromeria thymbra
• Clinopodium thymbra
• Satureja thymbra var. calvescens
• Thymus tragoriganum
• Satureja hispida
• Satureja collina
• Thymbra hirsuta
• Satureja biroi

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, falling into the family Lamiaceae. Finally, the medicinal species is identified by its genus, Saturajea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in Sardegna. Its presence extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within Greece and on the island of Kriti. Additionally, the species is located in the European portion of Türkiye. Finally, its range reaches into Northern Africa, where it inhabits Libya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Satureja thymbra is characterized by its classification as a chamaephyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by the ground or low-lying vegetation. This growth strategy allows the plant to endure seasonal environmental fluctuations and potential herbivory by maintaining its regenerative structures at a minimal height. As a perennial species, it establishes itself in rocky or Mediterranean-type habitats, utilizing its low-growing, woody base to stabilize itself within its niche. The plant undergoes cyclical growth patterns, emerging from its near-surface buds to produce foliage and inflorescences during favorable growing seasons before entering periods of relative dormancy or slowed metabolic activity during harsher conditions. This life history pattern ensures long-term survival and persistence in its specific ecological environment through effective resource management and structural resilience.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Saturteja thymbra is characterized by a growth form that primarily manifests as a shrub or subshrub. It possesses a woody structure, providing a sturdy physical framework for its development. In terms of its ecological positioning and habit, the plant is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, maintaining an independent existence as it does not function as a parasite. Furthermore, its physical structure is self-supporting, as it does not exhibit the climbing characteristics of a liana or vine, instead relying on its own woody stems to maintain its upright posture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Saturaja thymbra is characterized by the production of seeds with highly specific mass profiles and fruit characteristics. The seeds exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.000693333 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.0006 g to a maximum of 0.00085 g. In terms of the reproductive structures, the plant produces fruit that is categorized as dry rather than fleshy, facilitating its dispersal and life cycle.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

0.00085 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000693333 g

Seed mass min:

6e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Satureja thymbra has 36 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CARVACROL, P-CYMENE, THYMOL, GAMMA-TERPINENE, 4-Terpineol.

CARVACROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Planta medica
4. Malaria journal

P-CYMENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Planta medica

THYMOL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Malaria journal

GAMMA-TERPINENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

4-Terpineol

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-THUJENE

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha terpinene

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Satureja thymbra has 163 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Satureja thymbra has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum, bacterial diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, malaria, oxidative stress.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Malaria journal

Bacterial diseases

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Gastrointestinal disorders

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Malaria

1. Malaria journal

Oxidative stress

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Satureja thymbra has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential oils, chloroform, essential oils, methanol extracts, n-hexane.

Essential oils

1. Planta medica

Chloroform

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Essential oils

1. Malaria journal

Methanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

N-hexane

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology