Rosmarinus officinalis L.
An erect or ascending, woody and much branched, aromatic perennial shrub, to 2 m tall. Leaves 1 to 3 cm long, linear to linear-lanceolate, with inrolled margins, dark green above, densely white hairy beneath. Flowers pale blue to bluish-lilac, 1 to 1.5 cm long, in racemes of verticillasters. Calyx 3.5 to 7 mm long, toothed, hairy. Nutlets 2 to 2.8 mm long.
Local: Fairly common in Gibraltar. Found along the upper parts of Signal Hill, Charles V Road, and along Mediterranean Steps. Also found on the East Side sand slopes.
Global: Found throughout the Mediterranean region and in the Canary Islands.
Flowers from (October) November, December, January, February to March (April).
Grows in clearings and garigue.
Widely cultivated for its oil which is used in perfumes, etc., and for medicinal purposes. The leaves are used as a culinary herb.