Phlomis fruticosa L.

Stems woody, 25-45 cm tall, gray, densely appressed stellate tomentose; branches spreading. Petiole of basal stem leaves 1-2.5 cm; upper stem leaves sessile, ovate, corrugate, with simple and pilose stellate hairs adaxially, densely gray-white stellate tomentose abaxially, base rounded-cuneate, shallowly crenate. Verticillasters 10-15-flowered, 1 or 2 inserted at apex of stems; bracts oblong-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 1.0-1.4 cm × 2-4 mm, appressed to flowers, sparsely ciliate inside, stellate tomentose and densely ciliate near margin outside. Calyx 1.5-1.7 cm, densely stellate tomentose and with simple hairs outside; teeth 1.5-2.5 mm, apex subtruncate, with spines ca. 1.5 mm. Corolla orange, densely orange stellate villous outside, ca. 2 × as long as calyx, upper lip shorter than lower lip, orange pubescent on inside margin near apex; middle lobe of lower lip broadly ovate, emarginate; lateral lobes lanceolate. Posterior filaments with a long, oblique, reflexed appendage at base and far above hairy annulus of corolla tube inside. Nutlets glabrous.

It is a temperate plant. It grows on dry cliffs and rocky places up to 1,000 m in the Mediterranean. It needs a well-drained soil and can grow in a nutritionally poor soil. It needs to be in a sunny position. It can tolerate drought. It suits hardiness zone 7.

The leaves are used to give an aroma to meat. They are also browned in butter and used for a pasta seasoning. The flowers have a sweet nectar that is sucked.

It can be grown as a low hedge. Plants can be grown from seeds. They can also be grown by cuttings or using layering.