User:Kmbaus22/Rosemary

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Salvia rosmarinus, commonly known as rosemary, is a shrub with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region, as well as Portugal and northwestern Spain . Until 2017, it was known by the scientific name Rosmarinus officinalis, now a synonym.

It is a member of the sage family Lamiaceae, which includes many other medicinal and culinary herbs. The name rosemary derives from Latin ros marinus (lit. 'dew of the sea'). Rosemary has a fibrous root system.

Description
Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with leaves similar to hemlock needles. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is reasonably hardy in cool climates. Special cultivars like 'Arp' can withstand winter temperatures down to about −20 °C. It can withstand droughts, surviving a severe lack of water for lengthy periods. It is considered a potentially invasive species and its seeds are often difficult to start, with a low germination rate and relatively slow growth, but the plant can live as long as 35 years.

Forms range from upright to trailing; the upright forms can reach between 4-6 feet tall . The leaves are evergreen, 2 - 4 cm long and 2 – broad, green above, and white below, with dense, short, woolly hair.

The plant flowers in spring and summer in temperate climates, but the plants can be in constant bloom in warm climates; flowers are white, pink, purple or deep blue. '''The branches are dotted with groups of 2 to 3 flowers down its length. ''' Rosemary also has a tendency to flower outside its normal flowering season; it has been known to flower as late as early December, and as early as mid-February (in the northern hemisphere).

Usage
Aside from its usage in the fragrance industry, Rosemary is not only used as a decorative plant in gardens, but also cultivated for practical applications, such as medicine and cooking. When the plant is fully grown, the leaves, twigs, and flowering apices are often extracted for use in these areas. The leaves are used to flavor various foods, such as stuffing and roasted meats. '''In order to harvest from the plant, the bush should be matured 2-3 years to ensure it is large enough to withstand it. The amount harvested should not exceed 20% of the growth in order to preserve the plant.'''