Basil thyme - Clinopodium acinos

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Basil thyme - Clinopodium acinos
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

Basil thyme is a low-growing, slightly aromatic, annual plant with oval or elliptical, slightly toothed leaves. The deep violet flowers are two-lipped with white markings on the lower lip. They are found in rings of three to eight along the stems.

This is a plant that likes a lime-rich soil, can tolerate very dry conditions and can be useful as groundcover. Bees are attracted to the plant as is a micromoth. The Greek, basilicon, means a royal herb, and is presumably the origin of this name.

Animals

Bees and wasps

Foliage	Green
Flower	Purple, May to September
Moisture	(Dry)
Sunlight	(Full sun)
Origin	Native