Rosmarinus officinalis L.

General Characteristics

Botanical family: Lamiaceae. Evergreen shrub.
Height: 50-100 cm.
Leaves: Persistent and leathery, sessile, opposite, linear-lanceolate, 2-3 mm wide and 15-30 mm long, dark green and shiny on the upper surface, white tomentose on the lower surface. The intensely fragrant leaves are rich in oil glands.
Flowers: The inflorescences are in the axils of flowering leaves and are formed by small, sessile, hermaphroditic flowers. The petals are lilac or purple.
Flowering period: May to October.

USES AND CURIOSITIES
It is used in the cosmetics industry and in perfumery.
The essential oil extracted from the leaves is used in the preparation of colognes.
The leaves are very aromatic and commonly used in cooking to flavour mainly meats, fish, and vegetables.
Rosemary is a very melliferous plant.