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Micromeria Benth.

Genus composed of about 77 species, extending throughout temperate and tropical regions around the world, in the latter case in high mountains. In North Africa it is represented by 16 species, that form small subshrubs, sometimes herbaceous in appearance, but with a woody base, barely exceeding 30 cm in height, except for M. graeca and M. myrtifolia, that reach 60-70 cm. Another species, smaller in size but widely distributed, is M. inodora (Desf.) Benth. with woody stems but up to 30(40) cm in height, with leaves, linear and very small (less than 5 × 1 mm); a plant of Mediterranean thermophilic thickets, found in the region in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

A closely related genus to Micromeria is Satureja L., to the point that they were often considered co-generic. They differ primarily in that, in Satureja, the calyx is bilabiate or campanulate, with 10-13 veins and unequal teeth, while in Micromeria, the calyx is cylindrical, with 10 veins and subequal teeth. Satureja is the genus of savory, also with some resemblance to thyme (Thymus), but with which should not be confused. They differ because the Satureja calyx is glabrescent on the inside and its stamens are arched downwards, fused to the upper lip of the corolla, barely visible (while in thyme the calyx has a dense ring of hairs inside, and its stamens are straight, free and clearly visible). The savory usually flowers later, in July or August. Satureja is composed of about 40 species of chamaephytes, herbaceous perennials and annuals, distributed mainly through Eurasia. In North Africa, numerous specific and infraspecific taxa have been described but current only 3 native species are accepted. S. salzmannii (Kuntze) P.W.Ball in Morocco, and S. thymbra L. and S. linearifolia (Brullo & Furnari) Greuter, in Libya, with the latter being endemic to western Cyrenaica. A fourth species has been listed in Algeria, S. montana L., subshrubby, sometimes exceeding 50 cm, but it does not seem present in the region.

Fairly common species, with varied distribution areas, in principle not considered threatened. Currently, they have not been assessed at a global level in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Updated by: B. Valdés & J. Charco.