View source for Biology:Acinos alpinus

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Italic title}}
{{taxobox
|name = Rock thyme
|image = Acinos-alpinus(Loser).jpg
|image_caption =
|regnum = Plantae
|unranked_divisio = [[Biology:Angiosperms|Angiosperms]]
|unranked_classis = [[Biology:Eudicots|Eudicots]]
|unranked_ordo = [[Biology:Asterids|Asterids]]
|ordo = [[Biology:Lamiales|Lamiales]]
|familia = [[Biology:Lamiaceae|Lamiaceae]]
|genus = [[Biology:Acinos|Acinos]]
|species = '''''A. alpinus'''''
|binomial = ''Acinos alpinus''
|binomial_authority = (L.) [[Biography:Conrad Moench|Moench]]
|}}

'''''Acinos alpinus''''' ('''rock thyme''') is a [[Biology:Perennial|perennial]] plant of the family [[Biology:Lamiaceae|Lamiaceae]]. Synonyms include ''Calamintha alpina''<small> (L.) Lam.</small>, ''Thymus alpinus''<small> (L.)</small>, and ''Satureja alpina''<small> (L.)</small>. There are two subspecies of rock thyme: ''A. alpinus meriodionalis'', with smaller flowers; and ''A. alpinus majoranifolius'', which grows in smaller bunches. Rock thyme is sometimes used in pharmacology for its diaphoretic and [[Chemistry:Antipyretic|antipyretic]] properties. In addition, it can be brewed and served as tea.

== Morphology ==
[[Image:Acinos alpinus.jpg|220px|thumb|left|[[Biology:Inflorescence|Inflorescence]] of ''Acinos alpinus''.]]
Rock thyme is an herbaceous plant averaging between 40 and 50 centimeters in height. The flowers are hermaphroditic; that is, they have both male and [[Biology:Gynoecium|female]] reproductive systems. According to the [[Earth:Raunkiær plant life-form|Raunkiær system]] of categorizing life forms, rock thyme is considered to be a chamaephyte, specifically a chamaephyte sufruticosos.

The plant has a woody, fuzz-covered stem. Its leaves grow in [[Symmetry|symmetrical]] pairs and are connected to the stem by a thin [[Biology:Petiole (botany)|petiole]]. Their shapes range from [[Oval|ovoid]] to lanceolates of 5 to 15 millimeters in length.

The flowers consist of [[Biology:Whorl (botany)|whorled]] [[Biology:Inflorescence|inflorescence]]s, consisting of clusters of 3 to 8 flowers. They range from 15 to 20&nbsp;mm in length, and are generally [[Violet (color)|violet]] in color. Depending on altitude, rock thyme flowers between May and August. Its fruit is [[Biology:Schizocarp|schizocarp]]al, and splits into four equal portions upon reaching maturity.).

It is anchored to the ground by a [[Biology:Taproot|taproot]] and a network of smaller secondary roots.
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== Habitat ==
The plant originates from the mountains of [[Place:Southern Europe|Southern Europe]].

In Italy, rock thyme can be found in most areas whose altitude is between 900 and 2600 meters above [[Sea level|sea level]]. It is found in open fields, rock [[Earth:Fracture (geology)|fissures]], and areas with little fertile soil.

== Images ==
<div style="text-align: center;">
    {{Gallery
    |title=Images of Rock Thyme (''Acinos alpinus'')
    |footer=
    |width=150
    |lines=1
    |Image:Acinus alpinus.jpg|
    |Image:Acinos alpinus04.jpg|
    }}
</div>

== Bibliography ==
* {{Citation
  | last = Pignatti 
  | first = Sandro 
  | last2 = Pignatti 
  | first2 = S.
  | title = Flora d'Italia
  | place = Bolonia
  | publisher = Edagricole
  | year = 1982
  | volume = 
  | edition = 
  | url = 
  | doi = 
  | id = 
  | isbn = 88-506-2449-2}}
*{{Citation
  | last = Tutin
  | first = T.G.
  | last2 = Heywood
  | first2 = V.H.
  | title = Flora Europea
  | place = Cambridge
  | publisher = Cambridge University Press
  | year = 1976
  | volume = 
  | edition = 
  | url = 
  | doi = 
  | id = 
  | isbn = 0-521-08489-X}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.floramarittime.it// Flora delle Alpi Marittime|17-09-2007] {{in lang|it}}
*[http://flora.uniud.it/ Catalogazione floristica - Università di Udine|17-09-2007] {{in lang|it}}
*[http://www.funghiitaliani.it Associazione Micologica Italiana Naturalistica Telematica|17-09-2007] {{in lang|it}}
*[http://www.piccoloweb.com/flora_italica/ Flora Italica|17-09-2007] {{in lang|it}}
*[http://www.homolaicus.com/scienza/erbario/utility/botanica_sistematica// Botánica Sistemática|17-09-2007] {{in lang|it}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q159439}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Acinos Alpinus}}
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]

{{Sourceattribution|Acinos alpinus|1}}