Thymus polytrichus - Wild Thyme - (Lamiaceae)

Wild Thyme is common and widespread throughout the UK and Ireland.

This low-growing member of the mint family is generally found in dryish grassland, heaths and dunes, but occasionally you will also find it growing in dry stone walls. In suitable conditions it spreads rapidly via runners.

Wild Thyme growing in sand dunes

Wild Thyme forms a dense mat in sand dunes in South Wales

Wild thyme has square stems that are hairy on two sides, and oval leaves. The purple flower heads are rounded with individual flowers typically 5 mm across.

A closeup of the flowers of Wild Thyme

A closeup of the flowers, and the downy runners that the plant uses to form dense mats.

A taller, more strongly scented relative, Large Thyme (Thymus pulegoides) does not throw out runners and has elongated whorled flower spikes; it is more commonly found in areas with plenty of lime in the soil.

The pictures on this page were taken in Kenfig National Nature Reserve in South Wales (top) and in The Burren in Ireland (bottom).