Thymus argaeus

 

Thymus argaeus

 

Erciyes kekiği
 
 
Procumbent to ascending woody shrublet with branches forming loose mats. Flowering stems to 8 cm, villous-pubescent all round. Leaves 6.5-8.5 x 0.8-1.8 mm, lanceolate to elliptic, rounded at apex, villous-pubescent, with abundant yellow to orange oil dots; margins slightly revolute , ciliate in lower half. Inflorescence a loose, often elongated head. Bracts similar to leaves but 1.7-2.4 mm wide, usually not coloured; lateral veins only weakly visible. Bracteoles 1-1.5 mm. Calyx campanulate, 4-4.5 mm, pubescent and with dense yellow oil dots; upper lip usually shorter than lower teeth, 1.8-2.4 mm wide, ovate; upper teeth 1-1.4 mm, triangular, ciliate. Corolla pale lilac, c. 6 mm. Fl. 5-7. Open forest, rocky slopes, scree, 1700-3000 m.
Endemic. Ir-Tur. element.