Rosemary
Clusters of Rosemary flowers
Close-up of flower - 2-lobed upper lip,
3-lobed lower lip, linear style and 2 protruding
stamens with anthers
Newly open flower showing markings
Leaves
Close-up of glanular leaf
Woody stem
Rosmarinus officinalis
Lamiaceae
Late March to December, although some flowers can be found
throughout the year. It flowered in January and February in
West Dorset in 2018
It is grown as a culinary and decorative herb throughout
the country.
The escape is found scattered throughout most of the
country, but is absent from the North and the far Southwest.
See the BSBI distribution map for Rosemary
Rosemary has been cultivated in England as a culinary herb,
and sometimes a hedge, since the 14th century. It is classed
as a neophyte because it did not become an escape until
the late 1960s.
The escape, grows on walls, in cracks in pavements and
on waste ground.
Rosemary is an evergreen, aromatic, woody shrub,
growing up to 2m.
Flowers are in clusters, range from pale to deep violet.
They are up to 15mm and 2-lipped.
The upper lip is 2-lobed and the lower 3-lobed.
There are 2 stamens and one style which protrude from
the flower.
Leaves are green, glandular, linear and thick and up to 4cm.
Stems are woody.
Fresh and dried leaves are used in cooking and are the
source of an essential oil.
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Clusters of Rosemary flowers
Close-up of flower - 2-lobed upper lip,
3-lobed lower lip, linear style and 2 protruding
stamens with anthers
Newly open flower showing markings
Leaves
Close-up of glanular leaf
Woody stem
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