Seasonal Wild Flowers

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis

Lamiaceae

Late March to December, although some flowers can be found

throughout the year.

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.

For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway

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 white and violet grey, growing in clusters.

Leaves are linear and thick, grey green on top and whitish

below, with a distinct mid-rib.

Stems are woody.

Fresh and dried leaves are used in cooking and are the

source of an essential oil.

Rosemary bush

Rosemary flowers

Flowers and leaves

Leaves

Woody twig