Thyme
Thyme, the common name of a genus of perennial, aromatic herbs. There are about 350 species, most of which are native to Mediterranean regions. Common thyme is popular as a food seasoning; its leaves and flowering tops are used. It is also a source of the drug thymol. Common thyme has whitish, hairy stems and small, purplish flowers. It grows 6 to 15 inches (15 to 38 cm) high. Creeping thyme, a popular rock-garden plant, grows in mats from 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) high and has small, purplish flowers.
The thyme genus is Thymus of the mint family, Labiatae. Common thyme is T. vulgaris; creeping thyme, T. serpyllum.