Evaluation of some ecological factors, morphological traits and essential oil productivity of Thymus migricus Klokov & Desj.-Shost

Thymus migricus Klokov & Desj.-Shost. is one of the 14 species of genus Thymus L. which grows naturally in Iran. In this study, natural habitats of this species were identified during travels to different regions in East and West Azerbaijan provinces in the early of growth season in 2008. Five complete plants were collected from five localities in order to study and evaluate quantitative morphological characters. To study seed character, inflorescences were collected at the time of seed production. Flowering stems were used to investigate essential oil quantitatively. Data of locations, vegetative and reproductive characters of every population and amount of essential oils of each location were recorded. The results were analyzed using cluster analysis method with SPSS software. Populations were clustered based on vegetative, reproductive characters and essential oil amount. All populations were classified into 3 groups. "Band", "Nazloo" and "Ghushchi" populations in a same group, "Heris" clustered separately. Finally "Jolfa" population was placed in independent group. Specimens from "Jolfa" and "Nazloo" showed longest flowering stems, largest leaves and flowers and also highest essential oil production, therefore it is recommended for breeding programs in cold regions of northwest Iran.