Family: Lamiaceae Martinov
Distribution: Endemic to Ethiopian Highlands. Only 2 species of diversified genus Thymus are known from Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ecology: Low grasslands in shallow soils on rocky slopes in afromontane and afroalpine zone (3200–4000 m a. s. l.).
Description: Low subshrub with ascending or decumbent stems with terminal inflorescence, 5–20(–30) cm high. Leaves opposite, sessile, ovate to lanceolate, 1,5–2 cm, firm, cuneate at the base, acutely serrate, ciliate, with black dotted glands. Whorls aggregate into dense globose heads; calyx 4 mm long, teeth acute, longer than tube; corolla bilabiate, twice as long as the calyx, rose; stamens 4, exserted; ovary superior, stigma bilobed. Fruit fleshy, about 3 cm long, orange.
Possible confusion: Similar, but smaller thyme (Thymus schimperi) has entire leaves. Both species can occur together.
These images were taken in Ethiopia, Simien Mountains NP, Imet Gogo (October 30, 2013).
