Rosemary

Generality

The Rosemary is a perennial shrub classified in the Lamiaceae family (or Labiatae if you prefer), belonging to the Genus Rosmarinus and to Species orfficinalis (binomial nomenclature: Rosmarinus officinalis).

It is an evergreen plant, typical of the Mediterranean scrub and Canarian flora, which grows from sea level up to 1200m above sea level. Rosemary appears as a bush that does not exceed 2m in height, characterized by ascending or prostrate branches (depending on the variety). The leaves are needle-like, leathery, linear, dark green, shiny on the top and tomentose (velvety) on the underside.

Rosemary produces blue inflorescences tending to lilac or, at times, white-pink; these bloom without interruption in warmer climates, while in northern Italy only from spring to late summer. Rosemary produces small, smooth and brown fruits (tetrachenium type).
The chemical composition of rosemary is quite varied and, in addition to the lipophilic molecules of the essential oil, it seems above all rich in antioxidants and mineral salts. Among the energetic macronutrients, carbohydrates prevail.

Uses