Origanum syriacum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Origanum syriacum
• Biblical-hyssop
• Lebanese oregano
• Syrian oregano
• white oregano
• Bible Hyssop

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Thymus syriacus, possesses a specific geographical range within the Middle East. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated in the region of Western Asia. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Iraq. Additionally, the species is widely distributed across the Lebanon-Syria area. These specific locations define the environmental niche where this medicinal herb thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Thymus syriacus is characterized by its classification as a chamaephyte, a growth form where the majority of the plant's regenerative buds are located close to the soil surface, typically just above the ground level. Within the specialized ecological frameworks of life forms, it is consistently identified as a chamaephyte, distinguishing it from taller phanerophytes or annual therophytes. This life strategy allows the plant to withstand environmental stressors by keeping its vital structures low to the substrate, a trait further categorized under the specific morphological classification of chamaephyte. This consistent positioning of buds near the earth's surface ensures its survival and persistence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Thymus syriacus is characterized by a growth form that functions as both a shrub and a subshrub, exhibiting a woody nature in its structural development. It is a terrestrial plant, existing as an independent organism rather than a parasite, and it does not possess epiphytic qualities. In terms of its physical habit, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not rely on other structures for climbing, nor does it exhibit any aquatic or semiaquatic characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Thymus syriacus is characterized by the production of highly minute seeds that exhibit specific variations in mass depending on the sample or environmental conditions. Data indicates a distinct set of seed mass profiles, with one recorded grouping showing a highly uniform mass where the mean, maximum, and minimum values all converge at exactly 0.00052 g. In contrast, another observed distribution of seed mass demonstrates greater variability, featuring a mean mass of 0.000175 g, which fluctuates between a minimum value of 0.00013 g and a maximum value of 0.00022 g. These metrics highlight the microscopic scale of the plant's reproductive units and the subtle differences in seed weight present within its developmental cycles.

Seed mass max:

0.00022 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00052 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000175 g

Seed mass min:

0.00013 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Thymus syriacus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chemicals

Thymus syriacus has 55 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CARVACROL, THYMOL, 1-OCTEN-3-OL, 2,5-diethyl tetrahydrofuran, 3-OCTANOL.

CARVACROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.)
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Veterinarni medicina
5. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

THYMOL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Veterinarni medicina
4. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

1-OCTEN-3-OL

1. Dr. Duke

2,5-diethyl tetrahydrofuran

1. Dr. Duke

3-OCTANOL

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-THUJENE

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha terpinene

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Thymus syriacus has 193 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Food science & nutrition
5. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of infection in developing countries
4. Food science & nutrition

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Thymus syriacus has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include brucellosis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations