Thymus vulgaris L. Family - Lamiaceae. Common Names(s) - English thyme, French thyme, garden thyme, thyme, farigoule, frigoule, thym commun, Thymian, tomilho, tomillo, tomillo común. Synonym(s) - Thymus webbianus

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

1

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

1

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

n

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?

y=-2, ?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

1.5

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

1.5

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

2

0

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

4

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Native to Northern Africa: Morocco; Southwestern Europe: Italy, France, Spain.

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?36631 [Accessed 2008 Nov 28].

2.02

(1) Native to Northern Africa: Morocco; Southwestern Europe: Italy, France, Spain.

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?36631 [Accessed 2008 Nov 28].

2.03

(1) USDA hardiness zones: 5a-8b. (2) USDA Hardiness zones 4-8. (3) USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-8b.

(1) http://www.arcamax.com/gardening/s-160424-887777 [Accessed 2008 Dec 1]. (2) http://herb-gardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/choosing_perennial_herbs [Accessed 2008 Dec 2]. (3)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/329/ [accessed 2008 Dec 2].

2.04

(1) Native to Northern Africa: Morocco; Southwestern Europe: Italy, France, Spain. (2) Naturalized New Zealand.(3) T.vulgaris is successful at colonization in the early stages of succession. It is becoming invasive in the drier inland region of Otago, New Zealand.

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?36631 [Accessed 2008 Nov 28]. (2) http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/113323907/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 [Accessed 2008 Nov 28]. (3) http://books.google.com/books?id=hQcUkPf37lcC&pg=PA152&lpg=PA152&dq=thymus+vulgaris+%2B+%22dispersal%22&source=bl&ots=pJx6YYTO-R&sig=Xt0zqfN338KCOzzpLF6e_5et6nU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result#PPA152,M1 [Accessed 2008 Dec 1].

2.05

(1) Naturalized New Zealand. (2) Cultivated around the world, naturalized in Turkey (3) Introduced to the Galapagos.

(1) http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/113323907/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 [Accessed 2008 Nov 28]. (2) http://www.bio21.bas.bg/ipp/gapbfiles/v-30/04_3-4_68-73.pdf (3) http://www.hear.org/galapagos/invasives/topics/management/plants/projects/species.htm

3.01

(1) Naturalized New Zealand. (2) Cultivated around the world, naturalized in Turkey

(1) http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/113323907/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 [Accessed 2008 Nov 28]. (2) http://www.bio21.bas.bg/ipp/gapbfiles/v-30/04_3-4_68-73.pdf

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

(1) Thymus praecox Opiz ssp. arcticus (Durand) Jalas considered weedy or invasive.

(1) http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=THPRA [Accessed 2008 Nov 28].

4.01

(1) No spines, thorns, burrs.

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

4.02

Unknown (1) This study used petri dishes and T. vulgaris leaves to test allelopathy

(1) Tarayre, M. l., J. D. Thompson, et al. (1995). "Intra-Specific Variation in the Inhibitory Effects of Thymus vulgaris (Labiatae) Monoterpenes on Seed Germination." Oecologia 101(1): 110-118.

4.03

(1) No evidence

(1) http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi [Accessed 2008 Dec 1].

4.04

(1) T. vulgaris has phytochemicals, monoterpenes that protect it from herbivores. (2) Deer and rabbit tolerant. (3) Deer resistant

(1) Cappuccino N., Carpenter D. 2005. Invasive exotic plants suffer less herbivory than non-invasive exotic plants. Biol Lett. 1(4):435-438.(2) http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pd_f8d6.html [Accessed 2008 Dec]. (3) http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_t/thyvul.html [Accessed 2008 Dec1].

4.05

No evidence

4.06

No evidence

4.07

(1) T. vulgaris has caused contact dermatitis in several cases which was considered unusual..

(1) Martinez-González M.C., Goday Buján J.J., Martínez Gómez W., Fonseca Capdevila E. 2007. Concomitant allergic contact dermatitis due to Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme).

4.08

(1) Fire-resistant plant. (2) T. vulgaris is considered to be highly inflammable throughout the year.

(1) http://www.wildflowerdesigns.com/wdFireResistantPlants.php [Accessed 2008 Dec 1]. (2) http://www.fao.org/docrep/t9500E/t9500e03.htm [Accessed 2008 Dec 1].

4.09

(1) Part-shade to sun. (2) Full sun. (3) Can't grow in the shade.

(1) http://www.arcamax.com/gardening/s-160424-887777 [Accessed 2008 Dec 1].(2) http://www.ames.com/herbsdeprovence.html [Accessed 2008 Dec 1]. (3) http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Thymus+vulgaris

4.10

(1) Found on clay and limestone in natural habitat. (2) Loamy, neutral, sandy, well-drained.

(1) http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Thymus+vulgaris (2) http://safs.csl.gov.uk/docs/thyme.pdf [Accessed 2008 Nov 28].

4.11

(1) Shrub

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

4.12

(1) Shrubby plant up to 12" tall.

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

5.01

(1) Shrub, terrestrial

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

5.02

(1) Lamiaceae

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

5.03

(1) Lamiaceae

(1) http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Nitrogen-fixation [Accessed 2008 Dec 1].

5.04

(1) Shrub

(1) Staples, G. W., Herbst, D.R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press.

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1) Seed germination rate in this study was 80%.

(1) Gouyon, P.H., King, E.B., Bonnet, J.M, Valdeyron, G. Vernet, Ph. 1987. Seed migration and the structure of plant populations. An experimental study on Thymus vulgaris L. Oecologia 72:92-94.

6.03

(1) Study indicates that T. hyemalis hybridizes with T. vulgaris. (2) A polymorphic gene (Est E) is described. The locus (Est E) permits identification of the interspecific hybrids of T. zygis x T. vulgaris.

(1) Sáez, F. (1995). "Essential oil variability of Thymus hyemalis growing wild in Southeastern Spain." Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 23(4): 431-438. (2) http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/70/2/147 [Accessed 2008 Dec 1].

6.04

(1) Study quantified the size and survival of second generation T. vulgaris offspring produced by selfing and outcrossing. The progeny of hermaphrodites showed significant inbreeding depression. (2) Self-compatible gynodioecious species.

(1) http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=15565566 [Accessed 2008 Dec 1]. Thompson J.D., Tarayre M., Gauthier P., Litrico I., Linhart Y.B. 2004. Journal of Ecology 92 (1):45-56 (2) Tarayre M., Thompson, J.D. 2002. Population genetic structure of the gynodioecious Thymus vulgaris L. (Labiatae) in southern France. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 10 (2):157-174.

6.05

(1) Bee pollinated (2) Pollinated by a variety of insects.

(1) Gouyon, P.H., King, E.B., Bonnet, J.M, Valdeyron, G. Vernet, Ph. 1987. Seed migration and the structure of plant populations. An experimental study on Thymus vulgaris L. Oecologia 72:92-94. (2) http://safs.csl.gov.uk/docs/thyme.pdf [Accessed 2008 Nov 28].

6.06

No evidence

6.07

(1) Relatively rapid to maturity. (2) Growth rate medium

(1) http://safs.csl.gov.uk/docs/thyme.pdf [Accessed 2008 Nov 28]. (2) http://www.plantcare.com/encyclopedia/thyme-2385.aspx [Accessed 2008 Dec 1].

7.01

No dispersal attachment adaptation. (1) Prefers light, dry calcereous soils, not muddy soils.

(1) http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Thymus+vulgaris

7.02

(1) Mountain Valley Growers sells plants. (2) Twelve vendors have the plant for sale through Dave's garden.com (3) Victoriana Nursery in England has seeds for sale.

(1) http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/thyvulgarisenglish.htm [Accessed 2008 Dec 1]. (2) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/329/ (3) http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/herb_seeds/thyme_seed/ [Accessed 2008 Dec 1].

7.03

No evidence

7.04

(1) Seeds are small (0.5mm dia), round smooth and have no structures that facilitate dispersal.

(1) Gouyon, P.H., King, E.B., Bonnet, J.M, Valdeyron, G. Vernet, Ph. 1987. Seed migration and the structure of plant populations. An experimental study on Thymus vulgaris L. Oecologia 72:92-94.

7.05

(1) Seeds are small (0.5mm dia), round smooth and have no structures that facilitate dispersal.

(1) Gouyon, P.H., King, E.B., Bonnet, J.M, Valdeyron, G. Vernet, Ph. 1987. Seed migration and the structure of plant populations. An experimental study on Thymus vulgaris L. Oecologia 72:92-94.

7.06

(1) Seeds are small (0.5mm dia), round smooth and have no structures that facilitate dispersal.

(1) Gouyon, P.H., King, E.B., Bonnet, J.M, Valdeyron, G. Vernet, Ph. 1987. Seed migration and the structure of plant populations. An experimental study on Thymus vulgaris L. Oecologia 72:92-94.

7.07

(1) Seeds are small (0.5mm dia), round smooth and have no structures that facilitate dispersal.

(1) Gouyon, P.H., King, E.B., Bonnet, J.M, Valdeyron, G. Vernet, Ph. 1987. Seed migration and the structure of plant populations. An experimental study on Thymus vulgaris L. Oecologia 72:92-94.

7.08

No evidence

8.01

Unknown

8.02

(1) Seeds are capable of germinating for 3 years.

(1) http://www.plantcare.com/encyclopedia/thyme-2385.aspx [Accessed 2008 Dec 1].

8.03

Unknown, but there are numerous studies on herbicide application on weeds in Thymus vulgaris crops. (1) In this field study, metolachlor caused significant yield reductions in T. vulgaris and Napropamide injured T. vulgaris. (2) Goltix 700SC was applied to broad-leaved weeds in a field of cultivated T. vulgaris. The Thyme was tolerant of the herbicide.

(1) http://www.actahort.org/books/318/318_36.htm [Accessed 2008 Dec1] (2) http://journals.indexcopernicus.com/abstracted.php?icid=447073 [Accessed Dec 2].

8.04

(1) Study found that T. vulgaris took at least three years to return to the plant community in a post-fire regeneration study in a mediterranean pine forest. (2) There are some species which posses both the capacity to resprout after fire and to have their recruitment stimulated by fire (e.g. Thymus vulgaris).

(1) Buhk, C. Götzenberger, L., Wesche, K., Gómez, P., Hensen, I. 2006. Post-fire regeneration in a Mediterranean pine forest with historically low fire frequency. Acta Oecologica. 30 (3):288-298. (2) Pausas, J.G. and V.R. Vallejo. 1999. The role of fire in European Mediterranean ecosystems. In: Chuvieco, E. (ed.) Remote sensing of large wildfires in the European Mediterranean basin, pp. 3-16 Springer-Verlag

8.05

Don't know