What is "thymus vulgaris"

Thyme \Thyme\ (t[imac]m), n. [OE. tyme, L. thymum, Gr. qy`mon, qy`mos; cf. qy`ein, to sacrifice, qy`os a sacrifice, offering, incense: cf. F. thym; -- perhaps so named because of its sweet smell. Cf. Fume, n.] (Bot.) Any plant of the labiate genus Thymus. The garden thyme ( Thymus vulgaris) is a warm, pungent aromatic, much used to give a relish to seasoning and soups.

Ankle deep in moss and flowery thyme.
--Cowper.

Cat thyme, a labiate plant ( Teucrium Marum) of the Mediterranean religion. Cats are said to be fond of rolling on it.
--J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).

Wild thyme, Thymus Serpyllum, common on banks and hillsides in Europe.

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows.
--Shak.

Thymus vulgaris (common thyme, German thyme, garden thyme or just thyme) is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to southern Europe from the western Mediterranean to southern Italy. Growing to tall by wide, it is a bushy, woody-based evergreen subshrub with small, highly aromatic, grey-green leaves and clusters of purple or pink flowers in early summer.

It is useful in the garden as groundcover, where it can be short-lived, but is easily propagated from cuttings. It is also the main source of thyme as an ingredient in cooking and as an herbal medicine. It is slightly spicier than oregano and sweeter than sage.