Westringia is a genus of Australian shrubs native to the south-east
coast. As with other members of the mint family their upper petal (or lip)
is divided into two lobes. There are four stamens - the upper two are fertile
while the lower two are reduced to staminodes. The leaves are in whorls
of 3 or 4.
Growth is naturally stiff and bushy but responds to pruning by growing
much taller. lt reaches at least 2 m high and 5 m across.
Westringias are in the mint family (Lamiaceae). The name 'Rosemary'
refers only to the appearance of the plant, as the leaves and flowers have
little or no scent.
Young plants may be planted in any soil, and are particularly well-suited
to coastal gardens where salt-tolerance would be an advantage.
Sprays of cut flower stems are very handsome and last in water for weeks.
Article
on Westringia fruticosa from the Australian National Herbarium
Portions from Wikipedia
