Thymus serpyllum L.

General Characteristics

Botanical Family: Lamiaceae
Species: Perennial herb
Height: 10-30 cm
Leaves: Small, from linear to elliptical, ciliate at the base. The margin is entire.
Flowers: The inflorescences consist of a few flowers gathered in verticils.
The flowers are small, with a bilabiate corolla.
The petals are lilac-violet in color.
Flowering Period: June-September.

USES AND CURIOSITIES

Common throughout Europe and North Africa, it is one of the most widespread thyme species, used for centuries for culinary, ornamental, and medicinal purposes.
In the valleys of the Waldensian area above Pinerolo (province of Turin), a local variety of thyme called sërpoul or serpùl in the Occitan dialect is used to make a traditional liqueur of the area. This liqueur is obtained by alcoholic maceration of the plant’s flowers, followed by the addition of sugar syrup. It is also a highly melliferous plant.