Educational Story
The Scrub Rosemary, Ceratiola ericoides, sometimes called Florida rosemary, smells wonderful, but is not edible. It is a rounded, dense shrub with erect branches and short, needle-like leaves that conserve water through reduction of evaporation. Native to subtropical dry sandy habitats near the coast of southeastern United States, it grows together with pine and oak and is adapted to the hot sun and sandy, well draining soils. This plant omits a unique chemical from its root system that keeps seeds from germinating in its root zone. This keeps other plants from crowding the scrub rosemary, and also ensures that its seeds will be able to germinate if the plant perishes in a fire. Rosemary balds are areas with deep, loose sandy soils and harsh conditions, where rosemary is the one of the shrubs capable of surviving. It is widespread, but considered threatened in parts of its range due to habitat alteration and fire suppression.
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Gardening Facts
| Scientific Name: | Ceratiola ericoides |
| Common Name: | Florida Rosemary |
| Description of facts and concepts: | The Scrub Rosemary, Ceratiola ericoides, sometimes called the Florida-rosemary, smells wonderful, but is not edible. It is a rounded, dense shrub with erect branches and needle-like leaves. |
| Seed or division information: | Grows fruits that contain a seed |
| Date of flower’s bloom (Month and week): | Spring, summer, fall |
| Ecoregion: | Subtropical dry, sandy soils, sand pine scrub, and coastal habitats in he southeastern US |
| Color of Flower: | Red-yellow |
| Height: | 3 feet and up |
| Spread: | 3 feet and up |
| Family: | Ericaceae (heath) |
| Soil Type: Base to Acidic | Acidic |
| Soil: Dry to Wet | Dry, Xeric |
| Light: Sun to Shade | Full Sun |
| Zone | 8A-10B |