Common Name:

General Information

Lavandula mairei is an evergreen perennial plant with stems that become woody near the base. It forms a dome-shaped, leafy bush around40 - 50cm tall, occasionally to 80cm[]. The variety Lavandula mairei antiatlantica is somewhat larger, and can be more than 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a flavouring in tea.
Lavandula mairei is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2004)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northwest Africa - central and southern Morocco

Habitat

Open, rocky habitats on calcareous substrates and desert plains; at elevations from 900 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lavandula mairei is a plant of arid and semi-arid sub-tropical regions in Morocco. It is not frost tolerant

The plant is strongly aromatic[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are used to flavour mint tea[]. (var antiatlantica)

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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.