THYME  . The genus Thymus (nat. ord .

Labiatae) comprises a number of fragrant aromatic undershrubs, with very small leaves and whorls of small purple honey-bearing flowers in the axils of the leaves or at the ends of the branches . The common garden thyme, a native of the Mediterranean region, is Thymus vulgaris; the wild thyme of English banks is T. serpyllum . Marjoram (Origanum) is also closely allied . All these plants are remarkable for their essential oil, to which their fragrance is due . From this oil is produced by distillation the substance known as thymol .