Prostrate shrub with creeping purple-brown stems which are 4-angled and densely covered on 2 faces with hairs of different lengths up to 1mm long. The other 2 faces are sparsely hairy or glabrous. Leaves to 4 mm, elliptical or broadly spoon-shaped with a short petiole; margins ciliate, upper surface covered with more or less erect white hairs 1-1.5 mm long. Lower surface with sparse, similar hairs. The leaf hairs give the whole plant a woolly, grey appearance, hence the common name. Flowers axillary, purple, and not often seen.

Unknown in the wild

This plant is described from a plant in the Chelsea Physic Garden and should probably be regarded as a cultivar of T. polytrichus. It is often available under the incorrect name T. lanuginosus.

Grey and prostrate with small woolly leaves.

Source: Lumley, P. (2002). Thymus. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.