Thymus biflorus Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 112. 1825; Satureja biflora Briquet; T. cavaleriei H. Léveillé.

Subshrubs tufted, aromatic. Stems numerous, ascending, to 30 cm, subterete, slender, densely ± patent white pilose and pubescent, red-purple. Petiole 0.1-0.5 mm; leaf blade ovate, 4-5 × 2.5-3 mm, conspicuously golden yellow glandular, sparsely puberulent on midrib, base rounded to shallowly cordate, margin flat or recurved, entire, apex acute. Verticillasters 1- or 2(-5)-flowered, pedunculate; peduncle 1-2 mm; bracts and bracteoles subequal, linear-subulate, ca. 1.5 mm, ciliate. Pedicel 2-3 mm, secund, red. Calyx short tubular, 2-lipped, to 4 mm, veins puberulent, throat pilose, 13-veined, ciliate; posterior teeth narrowly triangular, ca. 1.5 mm, apex long acuminate; anterior teeth subulate, ca. 2 mm, apex spinescent. Corolla rose, ca. 6 mm, sparsely puberulent, tube ca. 4 mm; upper lip elliptic, ca. 2 mm; lower lip ca. 2.5 mm, lobes subequal or middle larger. Anterior stamens nearly included. Ovary yellow-brown, glabrous. Nutlets brown, oblong, ca. 1 mm, glabrous. Fl. Jun-Jul, fr. Jul-Aug.

Extremely variable and at the center of a species complex distributed in Africa and SW Asia.

Essential oil used for flavoring liqueurs. Decoction used for abdominal distension, dysentery, colds, and coughs.

Hilly grasslands over limestone; 2000-2500 m. Guizhou, Yunnan [Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Nepal]