Kingdom Plantae Tribe Anthemideae Scientific name Santolina rosmarinifolia Rank Species | Order Asterales Genus Santolina Higher classification Santolina | |
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Similar Santolina, Santolina chamaecyparissus, Daisy family, Genista umbellata, Halimium atriplicifolium | ||
Santolina rosmarinifolia
Santolina rosmarinifolia, the holy flax, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to south western Europe. It is a dense, compact evergreen shrub growing to 60 cm (24 in) tall and wide, with narrow, aromatic green leaves and tight yellow composite flowerheads carried on slender stalks above the foliage, in summer.
The specific epithet rosmarinifolia describes the leaves' passing resemblance to those of rosemary, a distantly related group of plants.
In cultivation it is useful as groundcover or as an edging plant for sunny, well-drained situations. It dislikes winter wetness, and can be short-lived. The dwarf cultivar S. rosmarinifolia subsp. rosmarinifolia 'Primrose Gem' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
