|
|
click photo for larger file
Micromeria thymifolia
Balkan Mint
|
Photographer: Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy
ID: 0000 0000 0816 0964 (2016-08-16)Copyright © 2016 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy
|
|
INFORMATION PROVIDED WITH THE PHOTO
|
date of photo Aug 9, 2016
latitude 46.36197 longitude 13.70829
View on Google Maps.
location
Lower Trenta valley, between villages Soča and Trenta; right bank of the ravine descending from Mt. Srebrnjak, 2.100 m (6,890 feet), reaching the bottom of the valley slightly upstream from Otokar farmhouse, Trenta 4, East Julian Alps (Posočje, Slovenia)notes Slo.: timijanovolistni popovec - syn.: Saturea thymifolia Scop., Calamintha rupestris Host - Habitat: colluvial, almost barren, stony, calcareous ground; side of a mountain ravine, very dry, warm place, full sun, moderately steep mountain slope, south aspect, exposed to direct rain; elevation 600 m (1.970 feet); average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 7-9 deg C, alpine phytogeographical region. Substratum: soil among stones. Comment: This highly aromatic plant is little known in central and northern Europe. It grows mostly in Dinaric, Submediterranean and also Mediterranean montane regions entering the Alps only in their most southeast part in Slovenia and neighboring regions of extreme northeast Italy. In Slovenia one can find it scattered mostly in its southwest part in the submediterranean phytogeographical region near Adriatic Sea. In the Trenta valley it probably reaches its northern most edge of its distribution area. However, in Italy Micromeria thymifolia has been traditionally used as medical and antimicrobial plant and particularly as condiments for a long time. The plant is extremely aromatic. In hot summer days one can smell it from far. There is no need to crash its leaves to be impressed with its strong and pleasant smell. Because of its many uses and recent tendency to broaden the use of condiments and spices in culinary Micromeria thymifolia is recently being developed into a new crop plant (Ref.2.). It appears that its cultural history is approaching a new prosper. Taxonomy of Micromeria thymifolia is an interesting issue. According to many references, including esteemed Ref.1., genus Micromeria in Alpine region knows only a single species, namely Micromeria thymifolia. In its taxonomic history it was attributed first to genus Savory (Saturea) and then to genus Calamint (Calamitha) before becoming Micromeria. However, some authors do not recognize existence of these three genera at all and consider all their species belonging to a single large genus Saturea. Obviously distinguishing traits among them are not too conspicuous and firm, or are at least difficult to discern. Anyway, the plant is beautiful, growing mostly among barrens stones and rocks and in spite of (or because of?) this strikingly aromatic. Ref.: (1) D. Aeschimann, K. Lauber, D.M. Moser, J.P. Theurillat, Flora Alpina, Vol. 2., Haupt (2004), p 144. (2) K. Hammer, G. Laghetti, K. Pistrick, Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi and Micromeria thymifolia (Scop.) Fritsch cultivated in Italy, Gen.Res. and Crop Evol, Vol. 52. (2004), pp 215-220. available at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10722-004-1500-1# (3) A. Martinči et all., Mala Flora Slovenije (Flora of Slovenia - Key) (in Slovenian), Tehnična Založba Slovenije (2007), p 606. (4) I. Schӧnfelder, P. Schӧnfelder, Kosmos Atlas Mittelmeer- und Kanarenflora, Kosmos, (2002), p 180.camera Nikon D700/Nikkor Micro 105mm/f2.8
contributor's ID # Bot_996/2016_DSC4413 photo category: Plant - annual/perennial
|
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PLANT
|
| common names
Balkan Mint (photographer)
View all photos in CalPhotos of Micromeria thymifolia Check Google Images for Micromeria thymifolia |
|
The photographer's identification Micromeria thymifolia has not been reviewed. Click here to review or comment on the identification. |
|
Using this photo The thumbnail photo (128x192 pixels) on this page may be freely used for personal or academic purposes without prior permission under the Fair Use provisions of US copyright law as long as the photo is clearly credited with © 2016 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy.
For other uses, or if you have questions, contact Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy amadej.trnkoczy[AT]siol.net. (Replace the [AT] with the @ symbol before sending an email.) |
|
|