Taxonomy

Rosmarinus officinalis is one of 24 species in the genus Rosmarinus.[4] The other

species most often recognized is the closely related, Rosmarinus eriocalyx, of the
Maghreb of Africa and Iberia. The genus was named by the 18th-century naturalist
and founding taxonomist Carl Linnaeus.

Description

Illustration from Khler's Medicinal Plants

Flowering rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis prostratus

Rosmarinus officinalis MHNT

Rosemary illustration from an Italian herbal, circa 1500

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with leaves similar to hemlock needles. It

is native to the Mediterranean and Asia, but is reasonably hardy in cool climates. It
can withstand droughts, surviving a severe lack of water for lengthy periods.[5]
Forms range from upright to trailing; the upright forms can reach 1.5 m (5 ft) tall,
rarely 2 m (6 ft 7 in). The leaves are evergreen, 24 cm (0.81.6 in) long and 25
mm broad, green above, and white below, with dense, short, woolly hair. The plant
flowers in spring and summer in temperate climates, but the plants can be in
constant bloom in warm climates; flowers are white, pink, purple or deep blue.[6]
Rosemary also has a tendency to flower outside its normal flowering season; it has
been known to flower as late as early December, and as early as mid-February (in
the northern hemisphere).[7]

Mythology

According to myth, the Virgin Mary is said to have spread her blue cloak over a
white-blossomed rosemary bush when she was resting, and the flowers turned blue.
The shrub then became known as the "Rose of Mary".[8] Rosemary was considered
sacred to ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks.[9]

Usage
Upon cultivation, the leaves, twigs, and flowering apices are extracted for use.[9]
Rosemary is used as a decorative plant in gardens where it may have pest control
effects. The leaves are used to flavor various foods, such as stuffings and roast
meats.

Cultivation

Since it is attractive and drought-tolerant, rosemary is used as an ornamental plant

in gardens and for xeriscape landscaping, especially in regions of Mediterranean
climate. It is considered easy to grow and pest-resistant. Rosemary can grow quite
large and retain attractiveness for many years, can be pruned into formal shapes
and low hedges, and has been used for topiary. It is easily grown in pots. The
groundcover cultivars spread widely, with a dense and durable texture.

Rosemary grows on friable loam soil with good drainage in an open, sunny position.
It will not withstand waterlogging and some varieties are susceptible to frost. It
grows best in neutral to alkaline conditions (pH 77.8) with average fertility. It can
be propagated from an existing plant by clipping a shoot (from a soft new growth)
1015 cm (46 in) long, stripping a few leaves from the bottom, and planting it
directly into soil.