Anthospermum rosmarinus

Description

Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), widespread in the Mediterranean region, and Rosmarinus eriocalyx, native to northwest Africa and southern Spain have long been widely recognized. Rosmarinus tomentosus was first recognized as a separate species in 1941. Rosmarinus palaui was first described as a species in 2002, although recognition of this species remains controversial. Recent research has indicated that while R. tomentosus forms a monophyletic group, this group is nested within a paraphyletic R. eriocalyx.Rosmarinus eriocalyx differs from the well-known herb rosemary in its smaller leaves, only 5-15 mm (0.20-0.59 in) long and less than 2 mm (0.079 in) broad, and densely hairy flower stems. It also tends to be lower-growing, often under 25 cm (9.8 in) tall and prostrate, and never exceeding 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall (R. officinalis can reach 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in), exceptionally 2 m (6 ft 7 in), tall).