How to Identify Rosemary

Last Updated: October 4, 2020 References

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a shrub that is native to Asia and the Middle East. This herb does well in a Mediterranean climate due to the fact that it can survive both floods and drought. Certain varieties of rosemary are native to parts of the United States as well. The stems and needles of the rosemary plant are used primarily for cooking fish or meats and as a spice for savory dishes. Other uses include medicinal and decorative. Sometimes rosemary plants are trimmed to resemble Christmas trees or are cut into other shapes to use in landscaping. Learn how to identify rosemary at the local garden shop or perhaps the one growing naturally in your backyard.

Steps

1
Measure the rosemary. Upright forms of rosemary can grow to 5 feet (1.5 m) in height.^{[1]
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Research source} There are trailing forms of rosemary as well which grow low and spread on the ground.
2
Look for plants that resembles a short pine tree with a fat trunk and smaller, long, thin branches which grow straight up into the air from the trunk. However, the lower branches tend to droop to the ground unless they are pruned.

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3
Look for stems which are woody and have a scaly gray bark.
4
Measure the needles of the plants. Their lengths vary from 0.8 to 1.6 inches (2 to 4 cm) long.
5
Check that the long, thin needles start forming about a quarter of the way up from the base of the branch and grow densely, pointing upwards.
6
Look for needles that are dark greenish gray in color with a vein in the center of each needle. Healthy rosemary needles remain green all year.
7
Look at the bottom of the needles for the silver color underneath.^{[2]
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Research source} Check that the edges curl downwards. The undersides of the needles are somewhat fuzzy to the touch.
8
Smell the foliage. Rosemary has a woodsy pungent aroma. Some think it has tones of pine and lemon.^{[3]
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Research source} A hint of camphor might be detected. There is a resinous quality to the fragrance which is quite distinctive and remains on your hands when you pull the needles from the stem.
9
Look for white, blue, pink or purple flowers in clusters at the tips of the branches.^{[4]
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Research source} Most rosemary blooms in the summer in mild climates, but plants growing where the winters are warm may bloom year round.
10
Attempt to identify fresh rosemary in the store. Look for stems, sometimes still attached to the roots, where the needles are green and have a strong aroma, which indicate freshness.^{[5]
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Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

Where can it be found in a forest?

Community Answer

It looks much like it does in the store, spiky and tall, it is easiest to identify based on its smell.
Question

What does rosemary smell like?

Community Answer

Rosemary smells very similar to pine.
Question

Will rosemary attract bees or deer?

Community Answer

It will entice bees, but it shouldn't entice deer.