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Rosmarinus ( /ˌrɒsməˈraɪnəs/)^[2] is a small genus of woody, perennial herbs with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves in the family Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean Basin.

Description

There are just two species, R. officinalis (Rosemary), widespread in the Mediterranean region, and R. eriocalyx, native to northwest Africa and southern Spain. The latter differs from the well-known herb rosemary in its smaller leaves, only 5-15 mm long and less than 2 mm broad, and densely hairy flower stems. It also tends to be lower-growing, often under 25 cm tall and prostrate, and never exceeding 1 m tall (R. officinalis can reach 1.5 m, exceptionally 2 m, tall).

References