Thymus quinquecostatus Celak.

Stems obliquely ascending to subhorizontally spreading; vegetative shoots ± fewer than fertile branches, sparsely retrorse pilose; fertile branches numerous, crowded, 3-15 cm, erect to ascending, densely retrorse pilose below inflorescences, base sparsely fine pilose, internodes to 15, usually shorter than leaves. Leaves oblong-elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, rarely ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 0.7-1.3(-2) cm × 1.5-3(-8) mm, ± leathery, glabrous, densely glandular, base attenuate, margin entire, revolute, ciliate on lower half or only at base, apex obtuse to acute. Inflorescences capitate, sometimes oblong; floral leaves similar to stem leaves; bractlets usually deciduous. Pedicel to 4 mm. Calyx tubular-campanulate, 5-6 mm, base spreading pilose, apex glabrous; upper lip subequal to longer than lower lip, teeth lanceolate, to ca. 1/2 as long as lower lip, sometimes ciliate. Corolla 6.5-7 mm, tube shorter than calyx. Fl. Aug.

Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi [Japan, Korea, Russia]

Gravelly areas, hills, riverbanks, rocky crevices, beaches, seashore dunes; 0-3500 m.