Lavandula angustifolia

Lavandula angustifolia
Common Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Lavandula
Species: L. angustifolia
Binomial name
Lavandula angustifolia
Mill.[1]
Synonyms

Lavandula angustifolia (lavender most commonly true lavender or English lavender,[2] though not native to England; also garden lavender,[3] common lavender, narrow-leaved lavender), formerly L. officinalis, is a flowering الو plants in the family Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean (Spain, France, Italy, Croatia etc.).

Growth

Flower spike before the petals emerge
Calyx (purple) and flower bracts (light brown)
Calyx and corolla
Corolla (petals)
Calyx and corolla

It is a strongly aromatic shrub growing as high as 1 to 2 metres (3.3 to 6.6 ft) tall. The leaves are evergreen, 2–6 centimetres (0.79–2.36 in) long, and 4–6 millimetres (0.16–0.24 in) broad. The flowers are pinkish-purple (lavender-coloured), produced on spikes 2–8 cm (0.79–3.15 in) long at the top of slender, leafless stems 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) long.

Etymology

The species name angustifolia is Latin for "narrow leaf". Previously, it was known as Lavandula officinalis, referring to its medicinal properties.

Cultivation

English lavender is commonly grown as an ornamental plant. It is popular for its colourful flowers, its fragrance, and its ability to survive with low water consumption. It does not grow well in continuously damp soil and may benefit from increased drainage provided by inorganic mulches such as gravel. It does best in Mediterranean climates similar to its native habitat, characterised by wet winters and dry summers. It is fairly tolerant of low temperatures and is generally considered hardy to USDA zone 5.[4] It tolerates acid soils but favours neutral to alkaline soils, and in some conditions it may be short-lived.[5]

Cultivars

The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

  • 'Imperial Gem'[9]
  • 'Miss Katherine'[10]
  • 'Nana Alba'[11] (dwarf white)

Dwarf cultivars

Compacta, Folgate, Dwarf Blue, Dwarf White, Hidcote Pink, Hidcote Superior, Munstead, Nana Atropurpurea, Nana Rosea, Sarah, Summerland Surpreme, Lady Lavender

Semi-dwarf cultivars

Bowles Early, Hidcote Variety, Loddon Blue, Martha Roderick, Jean Davis, Twickle Purple, Pink Perfume

Giant cultivars

Alba, Blackhouse Purple, Biostos, Bridestowe, Graves, Gray Lady, Gwendolyn Anley, Hidcote Giant, Irene Doyle, Mailette, Middachten

Uses

Dried Lavandulae flos as used in herbal teas

The flowers and leaves are used as a herbal medicine,[16] either in the form of lavender oil or as a herbal tea. The flowers are also used as a culinary herb, most often as part of the French herb blend called herbes de Provence.

Lavender essential oil, when diluted with a carrier oil, is commonly used as a relaxant with massage therapy. Products for home use, such as lotions, eye pillows (including lavender flowers or the essential oil itself) and bath oils, etc., are also used. Both the petals and the oil are the most popular ingredients in handmade soap.

Dried lavender flowers and lavender essential oil are also used as a prevention against clothing moths, which do not like their scent.

Lavandula angustifolia is included in the Tasmanian Fire Service's list of low flammability plants, indicating that it is suitable for growing within a building protection zone.[17]

Subspecies

Hybrids

Lavandula hybrids are referred to as lavandins. Hybrids between L. angustifolia and L. latifolia are called Lavandula x intermedia. They bloom later than the ordinary English lavenders.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lavandula angustifolia information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  2. "Lavandula angustifolia". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  3. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  5. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  6. "RHS Plant Selector - Lavandula angustifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  7. "RHS Plant Selector - Lavandula angustifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  8. "RHS Plant Selector - Lavandula angustifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  9. "RHS Plant Selector - Lavandula angustifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  10. "RHS Plant Selector - Lavandula angustifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  11. "RHS Plant Selector - Lavandula angustifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  12. "RHS Plant Selector - Lavandula angustifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  13. "RHS Plant Selector - Lavandula angustifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  14. "RHS Plant Selector - Lavandula angustifolia". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  15. Ohio State University: Lavandula
  16. "Plants for a Future".
  17. Chladil and Sheridan, Mark and Jennifer. "Fire retardant garden plants for the urban fringe and rural areas" (PDF). www.fire.tas.gov.au. Tasmanian Fire Research Fund.
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