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Micromeria biflora

Common name:	Lemon Scented Thyme	Family:	Labiatae
Author:	(Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don.)Benth.	Botanical references:	272
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - from Afghanistan throuth the Himalayas to Bhutan and Myanmar.
Habitat:	Open places at elevations of 600 - 4000 metres in Nepal[272].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	2	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	biflora = 2 flowered flora = flowered
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Lamiales. Renamed to Lamiaceae -- Mint family

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.2m. . It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Edible Uses

Condiment Tea.

The flowers and leaves are used as a tea[272].
A powder of the dried flowers and leaves is used as a flavouring in lentil soups and curries[272].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Antiseptic Odontalgic Vulnerary.

A paste of the root is pressed between the jaws to treat toothache[272].
The plant is rubbed and the aroma inhaled to treat nose bleeds[272]. A paste of the plant is used as a poultice to treat wounds[272]. The juice of the plant is taken internally and also inhaled in the treatment of sinusitis[272].

Other Uses

Incense.

The plant is burnt as an incense[272].

Cultivation details

Prefers an open position in a well-drained soil[1]. Succeeds in poor soils[200]. Requires a sunny position[188].

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.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Micromeria+biflora
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.