Salvia rosmarinus

Botanical notes

Natural distribution

Native to the Mediterranean region, including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and Mediterranean islands. Widely cultivated in many parts of the world.

Botanical observations

Perennial, woody shrub, usually 0.5 to 2 m tall, with densely branched stems. Leaves linear, narrow, coriaceous, dark green on the upper surface and white-tomentose on the lower, with an intense aroma. Flowers small, blue, lilac, pink or white, arranged in axillary inflorescences. Flowering recorded at various times of the year, especially in spring. Fruits of the nutlet type, small, usually inconspicuous.