Common Name: Fringed Lavender

General Information

Lavandula dentata is an evergreen, well-branched shrub that usually grows around 45 - 100cm tall and 40 - 150cm wide[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Western Mediterranean - Spain, Morocco, Algeria; eastern Mediterranean & NE.Africa - Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Eritrea

Habitat

Arid regions, thickets, open woods, rocks on clay and siliceous soils, at elevations from sea level to 2,00 metres, ascending to 2,700 metres in the east of its range[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lavandula dentata is a plant of the warm temperate to subtropical zone. It commonly found in arid and semi-arid situations in the wild and strongly dislikes the winter wet and cold of more temperate situations. It can be cold- hardy to about -10°c in its native habitat[], but is more susceptible to cold in more temperate areas where it is unlikely to tolerate more than occasional short periods down to -5c[]. Plants will normally require winter protection, especially from rain, when grown outdoors in moister climates[, ].
Requires a warm sheltered position, protected from strong winds[]. Grows well in a hot dry position[]. Succeeds in almost any soil so long as it is well-drained and not too acid[]. When grown in rich soils the plants tend to produce more leaves but less essential oils[]. When growing for maximum essential oil content, the plant must be given a very warm sunny position and will do best in a light sandy soil, the fragrance being especially pronounced in a chalky soil[].
Plants can flower all year round when growing in warm, frost-free climates[].
Plants are not very long-lived and soon become straggly unless pruned. Any trimming of the plant is best done in spring and should not be done in the autumn since this can encourage new growth that will not be very cold-hardy[].
The plant has a rich aromatic scent which is only slightly like lavender[, ].
A good bee plant, also attracting butterflies and moths[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is said to have the same medicinal properties as Lavandula stoechas[].
The flowering plant, and the essential oil, are vulnerary[]. The oil is used as a balm on wounds[]. The plant is used in the treatment of catarrh[].
An infusion of the flower spikes is used in the treatment of urine retention and to remove kidney and ureter stones[].

Other Uses

The plant, and especially the flowers, has a rosemary-like scent and is used in pot-pourri[]. The foliage keeps its scent after drying, making it ideal for pot-pourri and also for use in sachets[].

The flowering stems, once the flowers have been removed for use in pot-pourri etc, can be tied in small bundles and burnt as incense sticks[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Usually very easy, a high percentage will root within a few weeks[]. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings 7cm with a heel succeed at almost any time of the year[].
Layering.