A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

Serpyllum,-i (s.n.II) (also serpillum,-i (s.n.II), also serpullum,-i (s.n.II)): thyme, wild-thyme: Thymus vulgaris L.: thymus,-i (s.m.II) “old Greek name used by Theophrastus either for this plant or for savory” (Bailey 1949) [> L.serpyllum,-i (s.n.II), or serpillum,-i (s.n.II), also serpullum,-i (s.n.II), “thyme, wild-thyme, Thymus serpyllum L.” (Lewis & Short); cf. herpyllum,-i (s.n.II), abl.sg. herpyllo, ‘creeping thyme’ > Gk. herpein, to creep.

Serpyllum,-i (s.n.II): thyme, > L. serpens, ‘creeping.’

Thymum,-i (s.n.II), q.v., abl.sg. thymo: = Gk. thymon, thyme (both the common or Roman, Thymus vulgaris, L., and the Cretan or Greek Satureja capitata” (Lewis & Short).

Thymus Serpyllum L. Mother-of-Thyme, “Serpyllum” > Greek ‘creeping,’ a pre-Linnaean name” Bailey (1949). Savory = species in Satureja L.

- “Mnium Serpilli foliis tenuibus pellucidis. The transparent Mother of Thyme-leaf`d Mmium” (Dill.), i.e. Mnium with the pellucid, thin leaves of Serpillum [i.e. Thyme].

- [moss] Bryum ampullaceum foliis serpylli pellucidis, collo crassiore (Jaeg.Sauerb), Bryum ampullaceum with the leaves of thyme, pellucid, with a thicker neck [i.e. of the capsule].

- [moss] Bryum pendulum Serpylli folio rotundiore pellucido (JaegSauerb), Bryum pendulum with the leaf of Serpyllum [i.e. thyme], rounder, pellucid.

- Paronychia orienialis humifusa, Serpilli folio, Paronychia orienialis [spread over the ground], with the leaf of thyme [i.e. serpyllum].

- Polygonum maritimum minus, foliolis Serpilli, Polygonum maritimum, smaller, with the leaflets like thyme [serpyllum].

- Polygonum alterum pusillo vermiculato Serpilii folio, Polygonum alterum with the leaf small, like a worm, of thyme [Serpyllum].