Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Rosemary
Rosemary is native to dry scrub and rocky places in the Mediterranean areas of southern Europe to western Asia. It is naturalized in North America, and in some areas, it is an invasive species.
Plants: Erect, rounded evergreen shrub, 2–6′ (60–182 cm) high and 2–4′ (60–121 cm) around.
Leaves: Linear, opposite, needle-like gray-green leaves are ⅜–1¾ ⨉ 1/32–1/16″ (1–5 cm ⨉ 1–2 mm). Leaves are attached directly to the stem (sessile), or on short stems, and fragrant when crushed.
Flowers: Clusters of 5 to 10 two-lipped flowers are blue, pale blue, or sometimes white. Each flower is ⅛–⅞″ (5–25 mm) in size. Flowers appear from January to April.
Fruits: Groups of four smooth nutlets about 1/16″ (2 mm) long.
Habitats: Sandy soil or on dry and rocky slopes near the sea in full sun.
Edibility: Leaves are used as a flavoring in soups, stews, and stuffings.
Medical: Oil extracted from rosemary leaves, or the leaves themselves, are used for blood pressure problems, dyspeptic complaints, loss of appetite, and rheumatism. It should not be used during pregnancy, due to possible risk of miscarriage (this warning applies to large doses though). There are many more unproven folk remedies.
Online References:
References:
Rosmarinus officinalis L. var. prostratus hort.
2/24/2010 · San Diego (Quail) Botanic Garden, Encinitas, California · ≈ 3 × 3½′ (90 × 107 cm) 
10/28/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt 
2/24/2010 · Bob & Celeste’s, Carlsbad, California · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm) 
2/24/2010 · San Diego (Quail) Botanic Garden, Encinitas, California · ≈ 1½ × 1½′ (52 × 47 cm) 
2/24/2010 · San Diego (Quail) Botanic Garden, Encinitas, California 
2/24/2010 · Bob & Celeste’s, Carlsbad, California · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm) 
2/28/2010 · Bob and Celete’s, Carlsbad, California · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 12 cm) 
2/28/2010 · Bob and Celete’s, Carlsbad, California · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Lamiales | Aromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary |
| Family | Lamiaceae | Mint family |
| Genus | Rosmarinus | From Latin ros, “dew,” and marinus, “of the sea” |
| Species | officinalis | Derives originally from "herb store" or "pharmacy": a plant used medicinally (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
Rosmarinus officinalis description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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