CROATIAN FLORA 2016 - ROSEMARY

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis L., (Family of Lamiaceae) English: rosemary German: Rosmarin French: romarin Italian: rosmarino Rosemary is an aromatic, opulently branched evergreen bush which can grow up to 1.5 or 2 metres. It has got woody stems, densely grown with linear leathery, leaves which are silver-white underside. The flowers of bilabiate coronets are most often blue and rarely pink or white. They are up to 2 cm long and gathered in flower clusters at tops of offshoots. Rosemary blossoms from March to May and often again in autumn: in most favourable positions even during whole year! It is presumed that the homeland of rosemary is the south of Spain wherefrom already in ancient times the Benedictine monks spread it to other locations. Today it is domiciled in entire Mediterranean area: in Croatia it makes part of vegetation communities of bush plants (shrub land - gariga) in the warmest part of our coastal area. It prefers dry slopes near the sea where it is exposed to moist southern winds (the scientific name of the genus originates from the Latin words ros, meaning dew, mist, and marinus, belonging to the sea, from the sea). Rosemary contains numerous healing substances so that people have been using it since prehistoric times. Through distillation of leaves etheric oil is obtained which contains the so called rosemary camphor – a curing substance of multiple effect: it stimulates blood circulation and increases blood pressure, regulates liver function, stabilises nerve system, is efficient against cramps, rheumatism and gout and serves as analgesic and bactericide. Rosemary oil has for centuries been added to baths that are known as exceptionally refreshing. Rosemary is also a well-known spice herb suitable for many vegetable and meat dishes, sauces, mushrooms and cheeses, but always in very small quantities because – although it smells nicely – it has bitter taste. The symbolic of nice smelling, evergreen rosemary is profound: in Greek mythology Aphrodite, the goddess of love, dived out from the sea foam with the coronet of rosemary flowers and so the rosemary is considered a symbol of love and trust. In some parts of Europe and also in Croatia a branch of rosemary is usually used to „mark” guests of the wedding celebration. This beautiful plant is cultivated as decorative plant also in continental parts, but because its sensitivity to frost it is necessary to protect it during winter. Sanja Kovačić