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Useful Temperate Plants

Lavandula latifolia

Medik.

Lamiaceae

+ Synonyms

Lavandula angustifolia Moench

Lavandula cladophora Gand.

Lavandula decipiens Gand.

Lavandula erigens Jord. & Fourr.

Lavandula guinardii Gand.

Lavandula hybrida E.Rev. ex Briq.

Lavandula inclinans Jord. & Fourr.

Lavandula interrupta Jord. & Fourr.

Lavandula major Garsault

Lavandula ovata Cav.

Lavandula spica Cav.

Common Name: Spike Lavender

No Image.

General Information

Lavandula latifolia is an evergreen shrub that usually grows around 50 - 70cm tall, though it can reach 100cm. The plant forms a short woody base that persists and producing annual flowering stems up to 50cm tall[
1212
Title
New Trees
Publication
 
Author
Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
Publisher
Kew Publishing; London
Year
2009
ISBN
1842461737
Description
Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
].
Lavandula latifolia is a commercially important and highly aromatic shrub that is harvested from the wild and also cultivated both commercially on a small scale and also in the garden for its flowers, which are used for the production of essential oil for aromatherapy and for fragrance. The plant is also grown widely for its ornamental value and for honey production[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Lavandula latifolia has a wide distribution, a large overall population and, although it is declining somewhat as a result of harvesting from the wild, this is unlikely to be declining fast enough to cause problems. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
2219
Title
The Genus Lavendula
Publication
 
Author
Upson T. & Andrews S.
Publisher
Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
Year
2004
ISBN
0-88192-642-6
Description
Very detailed study of the genus, its species and hybrids. An excellent work, very well illustrated

Range

Southern Europe - Spain, France, Italy

Habitat

Open scrubland amongst low-growing shrubs, very often on shallow, calcareous soils and on sunny slopes on stony hillsides; usually at elevations from 100 - 800 metres, occasionally to 1,000 metres or more[
2219
Title
The Genus Lavendula
Publication
 
Author
Upson T. & Andrews S.
Publisher
Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
Year
2004
ISBN
0-88192-642-6
Description
Very detailed study of the genus, its species and hybrids. An excellent work, very well illustrated
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height0.35 m
PollinatorsBees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Lavandula latifolia is not a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating short periods when temperatures drop to about -10°c[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Succeeds in almost any soil so long as it is very well-drained and not too acid[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a sunny position in a neutral to alkaline soil[
14
Title
Complete Guide to Herbs.
Publication
 
Author
Holtom. J. and Hylton. W.
Publisher
Rodale Press
Year
1979
ISBN
0-87857-262-7
Description
A good herbal.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a light warm dry soil[
37
Title
The Gardener's Assistant.
Publication
 
Author
Thompson. B.
Publisher
Blackie and Son.
Year
1878
ISBN
-
Description
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.
]. When grown in rich soils the plants tend to produce more leaves but less essential oils[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. Very tolerant of salt wind exposure. Established plants are drought tolerant[
190
Title
The Dry Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Chatto. B.
Publisher
Dent
Year
1982
ISBN
0460045512
Description
A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.
]. 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[
245
Title
Scented Flora of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Genders. R.
Publisher
Robert Hale. London.
Year
1994
ISBN
0-7090-5440-8
Description
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
].
This species of lavender is sometimes cultivated for its essential oil in southern France and southern England[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. The oil is considered to be an inferior aromatic to the oil from Lavandula angustifolia because it contains a high percentage of camphor. It is very closely related to Lavandula angustifolia but perhaps not so hardy[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw[
2
Title
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Hedrick. U. P.
Publisher
Dover Publications
Year
1972
ISBN
0-486-20459-6
Description
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
,
15
Title
Edible Ornamental Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Bryan. J. and Castle. C.
Publisher
Pitman Publishing
Year
1976
ISBN
0-273-00098-5
Description
A small book with interesting ideas for edible plants in the ornamental garden.
]. Used as a condiment in salads[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. Very aromatic[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
], they cannot be eaten in quantity[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

An essential oil from the flowers is used as a food flavouring[
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
].

Medicinal

Spike lavender has somewhat similar medicinal properties to common lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). It yields more essential oil than that species but is considered to be of inferior quality due to its camphor content[
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
,
2119
Title
Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, Vol. 3. 1913
Publication
 
Author
Burgess G.K.; Ransome F.L. & Scofield C.S. (Editors)
Publisher
Washington Academy of Sciences; Baltimore
Year
1913
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The camphor content, however, make the oil a very effective antimicrobial and also a moderately effective antifungal[
2219
Title
The Genus Lavendula
Publication
 
Author
Upson T. & Andrews S.
Publisher
Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
Year
2004
ISBN
0-88192-642-6
Description
Very detailed study of the genus, its species and hybrids. An excellent work, very well illustrated
].

The flowering stems, and the essential oil obtained from them, is abortifacient, antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative and emmenagogue[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. They can be used in all the ways that common lavender is used. Taken internally, they are used to treat digestive disorders[
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].
Applied externally the oil is used to treat wounds, burns, painful joints, insect stings etc. It is applied to the chest as an expectorant to treat asthma and bronchitis[
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
,
2219
Title
The Genus Lavendula
Publication
 
Author
Upson T. & Andrews S.
Publisher
Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
Year
2004
ISBN
0-88192-642-6
Description
Very detailed study of the genus, its species and hybrids. An excellent work, very well illustrated
]. and internally to treat digestive disorders[
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Immune system'[
210
Title
Aromatherapy - A guide for home use.
Publication
 
Author
Westwood. C.
Publisher
Amberwood Publishing Ltd
Year
1993
ISBN
0-9517723-0-9
Description
An excellent little pocket guide. Very concise.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are a prime source of nectat for bees[
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
24
Title
Making a Wildlife Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Baines. C.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
,
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
], also attracting butterflies and moths[
30
Title
Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe.
Publication
 
Author
Carter D.
Publisher
Pan
Year
1982
ISBN
0-330-26642-x
Description
An excellent book on Lepidoptera, it also lists their favourite food plants.
].
Lavender is a good companion for most plants[
54
Title
How to Enjoy your Weeds.
Publication
 
Author
Hatfield. A. W.
Publisher
Frederick Muller Ltd
Year
1977
ISBN
0-584-10141-4
Description
Interesting reading.
], said to grow especially well with cabbages[
14
Title
Complete Guide to Herbs.
Publication
 
Author
Holtom. J. and Hylton. W.
Publisher
Rodale Press
Year
1979
ISBN
0-87857-262-7
Description
A good herbal.
].

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the flowers has a penetrating and camphorous aroma. The fragrance of the crushed calyx is pleasant, resembling that of the true lavender but with an intermixture of camphor[
1212
Title
New Trees
Publication
 
Author
Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
Publisher
Kew Publishing; London
Year
2009
ISBN
1842461737
Description
Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
]. The oil is commonly used in soap making, cheap perfumes, as a food flavouring, as a parasiticide in veterinary medicines, in making porcelain, as a diluent in paints, varnishes, lacquers, resins etc[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
2219
Title
The Genus Lavendula
Publication
 
Author
Upson T. & Andrews S.
Publisher
Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
Year
2004
ISBN
0-88192-642-6
Description
Very detailed study of the genus, its species and hybrids. An excellent work, very well illustrated
]. This species yields up to three times the quantity of essential oil than is obtained from Lavandula angustifolia,, but the quality is considered to be inferior to that species for use in perfumery[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
171
Title
Economic Botany.
Publication
 
Author
Hill. A. F.
Publisher
The Maple Press
Year
1952
ISBN
-
Description
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some detail about the plants it does cover.
,
2219
Title
The Genus Lavendula
Publication
 
Author
Upson T. & Andrews S.
Publisher
Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
Year
2004
ISBN
0-88192-642-6
Description
Very detailed study of the genus, its species and hybrids. An excellent work, very well illustrated
].
The essential oil is an effective inhibitor of hydrochloric acid corrosion when coated over steel[
1091
Title
Effect of Athamanta sicula oil on inhibition of mild steel corrosion in 1M HCl
Publication
Der Pharma Chemica · February 2015, 7(2):103-111
Author
A. Bouyanzer et al
Website
http://derpharmachemica.com/archive.html
Publisher
 
Year
2015
ISBN
0975-413X
Description
Research paper on the value of plant extracts, especially Athamanta sicula, in protecting steel from acid corrosion.
].
When growing the plant for its essential oil content, it is best to harvest the flowering stems as soon as the flowers have faded[
245
Title
Scented Flora of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Genders. R.
Publisher
Robert Hale. London.
Year
1994
ISBN
0-7090-5440-8
Description
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
].

The aromatic leaves, flowers and the essential oil obtained from them are effective insect repellents. They are used in the linen cupboard to help keep clothes smelling fresh and deter moths[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
2219
Title
The Genus Lavendula
Publication
 
Author
Upson T. & Andrews S.
Publisher
Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
Year
2004
ISBN
0-88192-642-6
Description
Very detailed study of the genus, its species and hybrids. An excellent work, very well illustrated
]. They are also used in pot-pourri[
245
Title
Scented Flora of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Genders. R.
Publisher
Robert Hale. London.
Year
1994
ISBN
0-7090-5440-8
Description
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
] and are said to repel mice[
20
Title
Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
Publication
 
Author
Riotte. L.
Publisher
Garden Way, Vermont, USA.
Year
1978
ISBN
0-88266-064-0
Description
Fairly good.
].

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[
245
Title
Scented Flora of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Genders. R.
Publisher
Robert Hale. London.
Year
1994
ISBN
0-7090-5440-8
Description
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. 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[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
]. 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[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
Layering.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-11-09. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Lavandula+latifolia>

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