Thymus pulegioides

Lemon thyme

Thymus pulegioides, commonly known as the Pulegoides Thyme, is a distinctive perennial herb native to specific mountainous regions. Characterized by its aromatic foliage and delicate blooms, this medicinal plant is valued in traditional ethnobotany for its antimicrobial properties and its potential role in supporting respiratory and digestive health.

  • Scientific name: Thymus pulegioides
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

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

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Thymus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Thymus pulleioides, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Estonia, it is called paljalehine liivatee, while in Germany, it is known as Breitblättriger Thymian. In Poland, it is identified as Macierzanka zwyczajna, and in the Belarusian dialect, it is called Wšedny płonjak. Finally, in Lithuania, this medicinal species is known as Keturbriaunis čiobrelis.
Language Common Name Source
et paljalehine liivatee Wikidata
de Breitblättriger Thymian Wikidata
pl Macierzanka zwyczajna Wikidata
dsb Wšedny płonjak Wikidata
lt Keturbriaunis čiobrelis Wikidata
fi nurmiajuruoho Wikidata
hsb Wšědna babyduška Wikidata
sv Stortimjan Wikidata
nl Grote tijm Wikidata
da Bredbladet Timian Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known as Thymus pulleoides, exhibits a specific geographical range across several Northern European territories. Its distribution can be traced through various coastal and inland regions of Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, the species is documented within the northern reaches of the continent, including Norway and Denmark. It also maintains a presence in the more eastern northern landscapes of Finland. Together, these locations define the primary natural habitat for this medicinal species.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Thymus pulegioides, is primarily valued for its medicinal properties which are concentrated in the aerial parts. These above-ground structures include the slender, woody stems, small grayish-green leaves, and the delicate flowers that characterize the species. When harvested, these aerial parts are typically dried to preserve the essential oils and bioactive compounds necessary for therapeutic use.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Thymus pulegioides has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Carvacrol, Geraniol, alginic acid, carvacrol, galacturonic acid.

Total chemicals
10
Scientific sources
10

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Carvacrol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Geraniol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
alginic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
carvacrol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
galacturonic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glucose 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glucuronic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mannose 1 ★☆☆☆☆
thymol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
xylose 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Thymus pulegioides has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus, Candida.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Aspergillus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Candida 1 ★☆☆☆☆