Ceratiola ericoides

Common Names

Florida Rosemary, Sandhill Rosemary, Sand Heath, Rosemary

Summary

Ceratiola ericoides is an evergreen shrub native to the southeastern United States, reaching about 0.5–2.5 m in height with dense branching and gray bark that reddens on older branches. Leaves are slender, linear to needle-like, arranged in whorls of four to six, strongly aromatic with a conifer-like scent, and minutely glandular with a prominent groove on the underside. Flowers are tan to reddish-brown in sessile inflorescences, and drupes are red to tan with seeds about 1.5–2 mm; the species is dioecious and wind-pollinated. It is allelopathic, releasing ceratiolin that inhibits nearby plants, and fire stimulates seed germination after seed production begins around 10–15 years. Grows best in full sun with dry, well-drained sandy soils; drought- and salt-tolerant, tolerating neutral to mildly alkaline soils (pH 6.6–7.8). Hardiness zones 7b–10b. Spacing 18–24 inches apart. Propagation by herbaceous stem cuttings, with seed collection not applicable because seed set may be absent or flowers sterile. Used in xeriscaping, native landscapes, and habitat restoration along coastal dunes, sand pine scrub, and scrub habitats of the southeastern coast, offering aromatic evergreen foliage, a rounded dense form, and suitability for hot, dry sites while not tolerating poor drainage.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-8 feet

Spread

18-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7b-10b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun.

Soil Type

Dry, sandy, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained sandy soils

Soil pH

Acidic to strongly acidic soils.

Bloom Color

Yellow to brown

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer and Fall

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow-green to green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Overall slow growth, with postfire biomass increasing slowly from 2–4 postfire years, rapidly from 4–10 postfire years, and less rapidly from 10–34 postfire years.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, no vegetative propagation reported, seed germination stimulated by fire, seeds produced in large crops, seed viability less than 10 years

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds