Definition

Noun 1. A low-growing, aromatic Mediterranean herb (Teucrium marum) of the mint family, characterized by small, hairy leaves and reddish-purple flowers. It is noted for its strong scent, which is particularly attractive to cats.

Usage Notes

• "Cat thyme" is a common name for a specific plant species. It is used as a singular, countable noun.
• It is primarily used in botanical, horticultural, or pet-related contexts to identify the plant.
• While it contains "thyme" in its name, it is not a true thyme (genus ) but a type of germander.

Examples

• General Context:
  • I planted some cat thyme in a sunny corner of the rock garden.
  • Cat thyme is known for its ability to withstand dry, poor soil.
• Regarding Pets:
  • My cat is completely fascinated by the cat thyme on the balcony.
  • Some pet owners grow cat thyme as a safe alternative to catnip.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Classification: In scientific or precise gardening contexts, the Latin binomial is preferred to avoid confusion with common thyme.
  • Teucrium marum, commonly known as cat thyme, is a perennial subshrub native to the western Mediterranean region.

Variants and Related Words

• Synonyms: While there are no perfect common-name synonyms, it is sometimes referred to descriptively as "cat-attracting germander."
• Related Plant: Catnip () is a different plant that also produces a strong attraction in many cats.

Noun

1. Mediterranean germander having small hairy leaves and reddish purple flowers; attractive to cats