Micromeria biflora
| Micromeria biflora | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Micromeria biflora (common name: lemon scented thyme)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Basal cuttings in early summer. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Division of the rooted prostrate stems in the spring.
Cultivation: Prefers an open position in a well-drained soil[1]. Succeeds in poor soils[2]. Requires a sunny position[3].
Range: E. Asia - from Afghanistan throuth the Himalayas to Bhutan and Myanmar.
Habitat: Open places at elevations of 600 - 4000 metres in Nepal[4].
Edibility: The flowers and leaves are used as a tea[4].
A powder of the dried flowers and leaves is used as a flavouring in lentil soups and curries[4].
Medicinal: A paste of the root is pressed between the jaws to treat toothache[4].
The plant is rubbed and the aroma inhaled to treat nose bleeds[4]. A paste of the plant is used as a poultice to treat wounds[4]. The juice of the plant is taken internally and also inhaled in the treatment of sinusitis[4].
Usage: The plant is burnt as an incense[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.