Japanese name: ローズマリー Scientific name:Rosmarinus officinalis
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub growing to 2 m tall.
The stems have 4 ridges, and as the plant ages the branches often hang down.
Leaves are simple and opposite, linear, leathery, 1.5–4 cm long, with entire margins that are strongly rolled under.
The underside of the leaf is densely covered with white woolly hairs and is felt-like.
Flowers are borne in cyme-like clusters in the upper leaf axils of the previous year's branches.
The corolla is two-lipped, about 1–1.5 cm long, and pale purple to white.
[Uses]
It is so aromatic that merely stroking the branches and leaves transfers the fragrance to the hand; it is used medicinally and as a spice, and is also known as a nectar source plant.
An essential oil can also be obtained.
In Europe it was both a tree of mourning and a tree of celebration.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, cuttings or by division.
It prefers well-drained, rather dry soil.
It grows well even in poor soil.
It weakens if the soil is too moist.
It is heat tolerant and easy to grow.
Its cold tolerance is somewhat weak.
