African Wild Rosemary

Basic Growing Tips
  1. Grows in most soil conditions
  2. Can be grown all year (under certain conditions)
  3. Best grown in warmer conditions
  4. Grows best in full sun
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General Information

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Eriocephalus africanus L.

Common Names: English: Wild Rosemary. Afrikaans: Wilderoosmaryn; Kapokbos.

The fine, grey, aromatic foliage, the snow white flowers and the fluffy cotton wool seeds ensure that it has year long appeal, apart from which is can withstand the most adverse conditions of weather, soil and habitat. Wild rosemary can be pruned to shape, makes a neat border hedge and can be used to soften rock and succulent gardens.The fluffy, white seeds that develop after flowering cover the bush, giving rise to the Afrikaans common name Kapokbos, meaning ‘snow bush’. The foliage is variable, being more succulent in the face of sea breezes and finer in drier inland habitats.

Medicinally, Eriocephalus is known as an anti-spasmodic and was traditionally used as a diuretic, a diaphoretic, as well as treatment for coughs, colds and stomach ailments, to stimulate and improve circulation in the body, relax muscles, improve memory and sooth migraines. Decoctions, infusions and brandy tinctures were used.

Wild rosemary can be used the same way as regular rosemary in cooking and works well with meat or in stews. As it has quite a strong flavour, so use it sparingly.

This is a water wise, semi-hardy shrub. It likes full sun and well drained soil and grows up to 1m tall.

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