Scientific name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Family: Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae)

Brief history and botanical notes on the plant
Rosemary belongs to the genus Rosmarinus, family Lamiaceae and its scientific name is Rosmarinus officinalis. Originally from the Mediterranean countries, it is found spontaneously along the coastal strip and up to 1500 m above sea level
The etymology of its name is quite controversial: according to some it derives from the Latin ros (dew) and maris (sea) meaning "sea dew", according to others from the Latin rhus (shrub) meaning "sea shrub".

Shrubby plant that reaches heights of 50–300 cm, with deep, fibrous and resistant, anchoring roots; it has light brown woody stems, prostrate ascending or erect, very branched, the young gray-green hairy branches have a quadrangular section.

The leaves, persistent and leathery, are 2-3 cm long and 1-3 mm wide, sessile, opposite, linear-lanceolate, crowded together on the twigs; dark green on the upper side and lighter on the lower side due to the presence of white fuzz; they have slightly revoluted margins; rich in oil glands.

The hermaphroditic flowers are sessile and small, gathered in short clusters in the axils of overlapping floriferous leaves, flowering from March to October, in the most sheltered positions intermittently all year round. Each flower has a bell-shaped, tomentose calyx with a tridentate upper lip and a bifid lower lip; the corolla is lilac-indigo, blue-purple.

Pollination is entomophilous as it occurs via pollinating insects, including the domestic bee, attracted by the scent and nectar produced by the flowers.

The fruits are composed of four achenes (tetrachenes), with free, oblong and smooth achenes, brownish in color.
In the Rosmarinus genus we only find Rosmarinus officinalis but there are numerous varieties that differ in their greater or lesser aromaticity and shape. Among them we remember Rosmarinus officinalis prostratus, widely used as an ornamental plant because, as the name itself suggests, it has a prostrate shape.

Pedoclimatic needs
It requires loamy-sandy soil, well drained with full sun exposure, for good production of essential oil.

Cultural care
Only when planted are regular watering and light trimming.
At maturity only emergency watering, and pruning at vegetative growth, to complete the preparation. Never drastic pruning on old wood.

Propagation
Seed: In trays with a mixed sandy soil (50% silica sand, 50% Sowing soil), spring is the optimal period, particular attention is required when planting given the small size of the seed, daily watering, constant humidity 60- 65%, constant temperature 15°C-18°C. Ideal condition in tunnel with basal (floor) heating and misting system for constant humidity (mist).
In the May-June period, the new seedlings are transplanted (h.: 2-3cm);
This method is preferable for those who practice the Biodynamic method, because it guarantees the variability of the genotype.

Semi-woody cutting: It is carried out in spring. The cuttings must be 15-20 cm long, taken from the collar of the plant from healthy and vigorous specimens. They must be planted for at least 2/3 of their length in a mixture of peat and sand, taking care to eliminate the leaves of the part that will go underground, and kept in a cool greenhouse (about 10°C) until they are rooted (they take about two months). They will be transplanted to their permanent location the following spring.

Division
It is carried out in spring on young 1-2 year old plants. For a few months they will be managed in a container in a cool shaded place, and then transplanted into the open field by June.
The planting density must be 1.5 – 2 plants/m2.

Fertilizers
Bottom fertilization with well composted manure. Being a spontaneous and very rustic plant, it does not require particular periodic fertilization.

Processing
Based on the planting density (recommended 1.5-2 plants m2), in the first three years after planting it requires weeding work on the row for weed management, the use of inter-stocks with mini-roters is recommended, or with manual weeder. On the row avoid the use of a router unless combined with a previous pass of a depth ripper.

Adversity
In the open field, as the plant is very rustic it is also resistant to the main cryptographic diseases, slight attacks of Ascochita Rosmarini rarely occur. As animal parasites, the Tortrix pronubana moth is recorded with attacks on young shoots and leaves, and the Chrisolina American beetle, on stems and leaves.
In containers, however, there is an increase in plant diseases due to the exponential growth in the production of aromatics in containers of rosemary, sage, thyme and mint. In particular in the horticultural district of Albenga, as recorded by the SIFA of Savona, production now exceeds 10 million pots/year.

Parasitic Disease Biological defense
Fungal diseases
White sore Oidium sp. Sulfur, Ampelomyces quisqualis (*)
Alternaria Alternaria sp. Copper salts, ventilation.
Insects
Aphids Different species Pyrethrum
Thrips Different species Pyrethrum
Virus
Alpha-alpha Alpha-alpha mosaic virus Elimination of infected plants
(*) In the process of being registered.

Tips for organic cultivation and intercropping
Rosemary, like other aromatic herbs such as sage, thyme and mentha piperita, is a good companion for cabbage and carrots.

Production, collection and conservation
Rosemary should be cut every three years to distill its essence (etheric oil). The quality may differ according to the area of ​​origin and the harvesting period, it is normally found in the warmer summer months, away from persistent rain, in the loose soils of the Mediterranean scrub.
Although it loses part of its aromatic properties, rosemary can be stored in ventilated and shady places by drying it for about ten days, at a temperature between 18°C ​​and 25°C.

Food uses
In ancient times, rosemary was used above all in its ritual meaning, as a link between the earthly part and the divine component.
Only with the Renaissance was its value discovered in the kitchen, especially in cooking meat. Today food use is the most varied in Italian kitchens, as demonstrated by the growing demand from large-scale retail trade.

Biodynamics
During the planting phase, use very mature compost with the preparations.
Treat with preparation 500, cornoletame, before and after planting.
Use of preparation 501, cornosilica, periodically and before harvesting.