Photo: Thyme Provence

A bee perches on a thyme flower at La Source Parfumee Gardens in Provence, France in Europe.

Thyme is a useful member of the Lamiaceae family, aromatic herbaceous perennial plants. Thymus vulgaris, the Latin name for the Common or Garden Thyme is found in the Mediterranean area of Provence and is one of the most well-known herbs in the world.

Although bees produce some of the sweetest tasting honey from the Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) all thyme varieties are prolific nectar sources. At La Source Parfumee Gardens near Gourdon in Provence, the thyme plants could be used for many things - the dried flowers can be used much the same as lavender - in a sachet, the oil for soaps and perfume - dried or fresh it is used for flavouring soup, stews and poultry.

In the 1970s someone discovered 'Herbes de Provence', a mixture of dried herbs grown in Provence, France with thyme being the most prominent flavour. The tiny bee perched on a thyme flower is just one part of the many uses of the thyme genus. ... continue below the picture...

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A bee on a Flowering Thyme plant, Thyme vulgaris at La Source Parfumee Gardens near the village of Gourdon, Gorges du Loup, Alpes Maritimes, Provence, France, Europe.