Wild Thyme
Thymus polytrichus
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Wild Thyme forms low mats of tiny, aromatic leaves and pink-purple flowers on the short, dry dune grassland at Ainsdale. The scent released when walked on is unmistakeable — a clean, herbal fragrance that lifts the spirit on a warm summer day. Bees love it — a Thyme mat in full flower in July buzzes with activity. It's a good indicator of old, undisturbed dune grassland that hasn't been fertilised or heavily disturbed.
At a Glance
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Habitat | Short dry fixed dune · Calcareous grassland · Dune lichen heath edges |
| UK population | Common on well-drained calcareous and dune grassland in England |
| Sefton Coast | Present on short, dry dune grassland at Ainsdale; locally common |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Short, dry fixed dune grassland at Ainsdale NNR. Forms mats on the bare dune surfaces.
Identification
Creeping mat-former. Tiny, oval, aromatic leaves. Small pink-purple flowers in tight clusters. Hairy stems. Unmistakeable fragrance. Grows flat on short turf.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk the shortest, most open dune grassland at Ainsdale in July. Kneel down and smell any low-growing aromatic plant — the scent of Wild Thyme is unmistakeable.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wild Thyme edible?
Wild Thyme is perfectly edible and has the same aromatic compounds (thymol and carvacrol) as cultivated Thyme, though in smaller concentrations. However, please don't pick it on the Sefton Coast dunes — it's an important plant for insects and part of a fragile ecosystem. Harvest garden-grown thyme instead. Wild Thyme has been used medicinally and culinarily since ancient times.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.