Possible confusion with: Common Broomrape which may also have red/purple stems, but is over twice as tall, at 60cm.

Some similarities to : Lousewort which also has reddish/pinkish 'euphonium-like' openings, but is much shorter. Lousewort is only hemi-parasitic, and not fully parasitic as are the Broomrapes.

No relation to : Broom [a plant with similar name].

All Broomrapes are  Parasitic Plants, lacking chlorophyll to synthesize their own products and instead taking their nutrients from the roots of a host plant. In the case of Thyme Broomrape, this is mainly with Wild Thyme. It occurs near the coast.

Thyme Broomrape is a short 25cm with purple/mauve stems; the only other Broomrape with this colour of stem is Common Broomrape.