Possible Thyme? Please Identify.
This herb was given to me by a client who collected it from her recently departed relative. She does not know anything about the herbs, only that it was cooking herbs.
This garden is in North Georgia. The plant does not cast a scent until a leaf is crushed and then it is strong, almost bitter. Also, it does not have a dry tear when the leaf is torn, but a wet tear. I am thinking it is a type of thyme, but am not sure.
Thank you in advance for your help and time.
- rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Sorry you didn't get a response. I was hoping some one would come along who could identify it.
But definitely not thyme. Thyme has tiny flowers in loose clusters, very small leaves, and the leaves are fragrant all the time, if just brushed.
https://s.hswstatic.com/gif/thyme-1.jpg
Your pictures are kind of blurry, but I think your plant has square stems? That identifies it as something in the mint family = a very large family. Most mints have flower clusters or spikes, not single flowers like yours, but stachys and catnip are single flowering mints.
Actually, now that I look more, I think yours is perhaps a lamium, like purple dead nettle.
https://www.missouriwildflowerguide.com/ ... _thumb.jpg
I don't know that yours is purple dead nettle or some relative. Purple dead nettle is actually a common weed, but it is in the mint family, is edible and medicinal.
But definitely not thyme. Thyme has tiny flowers in loose clusters, very small leaves, and the leaves are fragrant all the time, if just brushed.
https://s.hswstatic.com/gif/thyme-1.jpg
Your pictures are kind of blurry, but I think your plant has square stems? That identifies it as something in the mint family = a very large family. Most mints have flower clusters or spikes, not single flowers like yours, but stachys and catnip are single flowering mints.
Actually, now that I look more, I think yours is perhaps a lamium, like purple dead nettle.
https://www.missouriwildflowerguide.com/ ... _thumb.jpg
I don't know that yours is purple dead nettle or some relative. Purple dead nettle is actually a common weed, but it is in the mint family, is edible and medicinal.