Teucrium

Teucrium is a genus of perennial plants, of the family Lamiaceae. Common names for this genus include germanders. These species are herbs, shrubs or subshrubs. They are most common in Mediterranean climates.

A unique feature of this genus among Lamiaceae is that the flowers completely lack the upper lip of the corolla, although it is somewhat reduced also in other genera (Ajuga among them).

Several are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the Coleophora case-bearers Coleophora auricella and Coleophora chamaedriella. The latter is only known from Wall Germander.

Teucrium species are rich in essential oils. Humans value germanders as ornamental plants and pollen source, and some species have culinary and/or medical value.


Some species
Teucrium ajugaceum is a plant species in the family Lamiaceae. The species was thought to be extinct in Queensland until rediscovered on Cape York, between Cooktown and the Lockhart River in May 2004. Previous to this, the species had not been seen since 1891.

Teucrium balfourii is a species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family. It is found only in Yemen. Its natural habitat is rocky areas.

Teucrium balthazaris is a species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family. It is found only in Spain. Its natural habitat is Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Teucrium chamaedrys - Wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) is a species of ornamental plant native to Europe and the Near East. It was historically used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of gout and sometimes as a component of Venice treacle.

Teucrium fruticans also known as tree germander and shrubby germander is a species of the genus Teucrium and of the mint family Lamiaceae.

Teucrium marum - Cat thyme (Teucrium marum) is a close relative of germander; despite what its name suggests, it is not a thyme. Its small, oval leaves give it a thyme-like appearance, but the musty scent is quite unlike the delicate aroma of thyme, cat thyme is a mounding, tender perennial with grey-green leaves tipped by fragrant pink flowers in summer.
Cat thyme, a native of Spain and the Western Mediterranean, will live through the winter in the open, on a dry soil and in a good situation, when the frosts are not severe, though it is frequently killed in hard winters if unprotected by mats or other covering. Older plants can shrub 3 or 4 feet high if grown in a mild climate.
It has oval leaves, broader at the base, downy beneath, with uncut margins. It is in leaf all year.
The flowers, appearing between July and September, are in one-sided spikes, the corollas are crimson in color.
The leaves and younger branches when fresh, on being rubbed emit a volatile, pungent, aromatic smell, which excites sneezing, but in taste they are somewhat bitter, accompanied with a sensation of heat.

Teucrium polium (known popularly as felty germander) is a sub-shrub and herb native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Its flowers are small and range from pink to white, and its leaves are used in cooking and for medicinal purposes, particularly for the treatment of stomach ailments. It has also shown some promise in the treatment of visceral pain.

Teucrium scorodonia (Woodland germander) is a perennial herb native to Europe, Tunisia the Azores and the Madeira Islands. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Teucrium socotranum is a species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family. It is found only in Yemen. Its natural habitat is rocky areas.

Teucrium glandulosum

Teucrium scordium – Water Germander

Teucrium corymbosum

Teucrium racemosum

Teucrium cossonii – Fruity Teucrium

Teucrium grandiusculum

Teucrium cubense

Teucrium flavum – Yellow Germander

Teucrium pyrenaicum

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