Stokes Aster, Stokesia laevis

Florida is the center of diversity in the United States for the genus Conradina, a woody shrub in the mint family Lamiaceae. Only seven species of Conradina occur in the US, six of those species occur in Florida, and five of them are endemic to Florida (they occur nowhere else).

Conradina species are commonly known as False Rosemary or Wild Rosemary since they closely resemble the culinary Rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus. Conradina also smells very similar- the crushed leaves have notes of rosemary, mint, and lavender. The leaves of these species are used for potpourri, steeped in water for teas, and as a culinary substitute for rosemary.

Retired botanist, Dr. Loran Anderson, highlights Apalachicola Rosemary, Conradina glabra, which is endemic to just Liberty county in the Florida Panhandle.

Florida native Conradina species:

1. Conradina brevifolia, Shortleaf Rosemary (endemic to peninsular FL)
2. Conradina canescens, Gray Rosemary
3. Conradina cygniflora, Swan-flowered Rosemary (endemic to Putnam county, FL)
4. Conradina etonia, Etoniah Rosemary (endemic to Putnam county, FL)
5. Conradina glabra, Apalachicola Rosemary (endemic to Liberty county, FL)
6. Conradina grandiflora, Largeflower Rosemary (endemic to peninsular FL)

Video & description by Lilly Anderson-Messec, FNPS Director of North Florida Programs

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I would love to buy seeds. I'm making our land meadow.