Native Plants
Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Cressler, Alan
Ceratiola ericoides
Ceratiola ericoides Michx.
Sand-heath, Sandhill-rosemary, Florida-rosemary
Empetraceae (Crowberry Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ceer3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Rounded shrub with many erect branches.
Leaves: 1/2”, needle-like, thick, with curled-under edges; seem whorled.
Sand-heath provides cover and nesting habitat for various types of birds, including the Florida Scrub-Jay, which is on the U.S. Endangered Species List as a threatened species. Although often called rosemary, this plant is not the culinary herb (Rosmarinus officinalis), although it does resemble it.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Whorled
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Notes: To 6-8 feet in height.
Size Class: 3-6 ft. , 6-12 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , BrownBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Bronze flowers, sporadic throughout the rest of the year with rain.
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , MS , SCCanada: NS
Native Distribution: Coastal plain from South Carolina to Florida and as far west as Mississippi.
Native Habitat: Sandhills, scrub, dunes; pine and mixed woodlands.
Benefit
Fragrant Foliage: yesMr. Smarty Plants says
Native ground cover to replace grass in Florida.
February 04, 2008
Where can I find a list of ground covers to replace my grass. I live in the south of Ocala Florida.
view the full question and answer
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Ceratiola ericoides in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ceratiola ericoides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ceratiola ericoides
Metadata
Record Modified: 2014-08-28Research By: TWC Staff