abstract an inventory of naturally occurring sabinene hydrate (4-thujanol)-rich thyme populations singled out 16 individuals of potential commercial importance. after multiplication by microcuttings and grown in a nursery, we now possess a collection that yields an oil particularly rich in sabinene hydrate (up to 62%). the other constituents commonly found in thyme, 1,8-cineole, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, -terpineol, geraniol, thymol and carvacrol are present only in small amounts, (trace-5.0%).