Rosemary (klin), bears the scientific name of Rosmarinus officinalis which means “dew of the sea” – because it is frequently found growing near the sea. The Latin name rosmarinus derives from the words roris meaning dew and marinus meaning maritime.
In Malta it is rarely found growing in natural spaces, mainly growing in areas of coralline rocks or along valley sides. Today it is cultivated a lot because of its culinary and ornamental properties and is often found in public spaces.
This shrubby herb, which may reach a height of around two metres, is an upright evergreen plant which is branched a lot. The leaves are pleasantly fragrant, having a green and waxy upper surface while being white and densely covered with soft hairs beneath. These needle-like leathery leaves have no stalk but are attached to their branches directly from their base.
The flowers, which are present more or less throughout the year, are usually pale blue or white and found in auxiliary clusters. The petals form a tube, which has a straight upper lip and a lower lip which is three-lobed.
The fresh and dried leaves are used frequently in traditional Mediterranean cuisine; they have a bitter, astringent taste and are highly aromatic, which complements a wide variety of foods. Rosemary is high in iron, calcium and vitamin B6.
Rosemary extract has a long history of medicinal uses and has been used to threat a number of ailments including digestive disorders, circulatory problems and headaches. The rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region and considered to be a plant of national interest in Malta. Its exploitation requires management measures.
More information may be obtained by e-mail: nature.requests@mepa.org.mt.
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. Malta, together with many other countries around the globe, is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: Biodiversity.