''Thymus citriodorus'', the lemon thyme or citrus thyme, is a lemon-scented

evergreen In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season. This also pertains to plants that retain their foliage only in warm climates, and contrasts with deciduous plants, whic ...

mat-forming

perennial plant A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

in the family Lamiaceae. There has been a great amount of confusion over the plant's correct name and origin. Recent DNA analysis suggests that it is not a hybrid or cross, but a distinct species as it was first described in 1811.IPNI Listing
/ref> ''T. citriodorus'' is an evergreen sub-shrub, growing to in height by in spread. It prefers full sun and well draining soil. The bloom period is mid to late summer, with pink to lavender flowers that are a nectar source for bees and butterflies.PFAF: taxonomy/treatment
Accessed 12.1.2011

Uses

''Thymus citriodorus'' and its cultivars are grown as ornamentals, culinary herbs, and medicinal plants. In landscaping, the plants are often used as groundcovers or for planting in beds, between stepping stones, and in containers. In xeriscaping it is useful in hot, arid regions. The plant is drought-tolerant once established.High Country gardens: Low Water Plants
. accessed 12.1.2011 As nectar-producing plants, they are cultivated in bee and butterfly gardens. The leaves are eaten raw in salads or used as a fresh or dried flavoring herb in cooking and for herbal teas. Other uses include essential oil, folk remedies, antiseptics, respiratory aids, aromatherapy, deodorants, perfumes, skincare and cosmetics.

Taxonomy and synonyms

''Thymus citriodorus'' has had many different names over time, including ''Thymus'' × ''citriodorus'', ''Thymus fragrantissimus'', ''Thymus serpyllum citratus'', ''Thymus serpyllum citriodorum'', and more. It was also believed at one time that the plant was a hybrid of European garden origin, between ''Thymus pulegioides'' and ''Thymus vulgaris''. DNA analysis has shown that ''T. citriodorus'' is not part of the DNA tree that includes ''T. pulegioides'' and ''T. vulgaris''.

Cultivars

Cultivar A cultivar is a type of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and when propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and stem cuttings, offsets, grafting, tissue culture ...

s are selected for foliage color, and aromas of different citrus fruits. The following are sold by various nurseries, often under the synonyms, so scientific naming is not reliable: * Lemon Supreme — Light mauve flowers on vigorous plants with much richer lemon scent than that of most lemon thymes. * ‘Silver-Edged’ (Silver-Edged Lemon Thyme) — Silver-edged green leaves; pink flowers. * Creeping Golden Lemon — Shiny dark green lemon-scented leaves variegated in gold; lavender flower spikes. * Orange Thyme— orange, unusually low growing. * Lime Thyme — mounding ground cover with bright chartreuse green leaves, slightly to powerfully lime scented and flavored leaves, lavender-pink flowers.

References

External links

Copy of ''Nature Heritage'' article explaining naming

PFAF Plant Database treatment: ''Thymus'' x ''citriodorus'' (Lemon Thyme)
{{Taxonbar, from=Q206425 citriodorus Flora of Europe Herbs Edible plants Butterfly food plants Garden plants of Europe Drought-tolerant plants Groundcovers