Lavender
\n| Lavender |
|---|
\n\n \n |
\n| Scientific classification |
|---|
\n| \n\n |
| Species |
|---|
\n\nLavandula angustifolia
\nLavandula dentata
\nLavandula lanata
\nLavandula multifida
\nLavandula latifolia
\nLavandula stoechas
\nLavandula viridis
\nLavandula X intermedia\n |
\n
For the color shade, see violet (or purple).
The
Lavenders are the
genus Lavandula of
flowering plant in the mint family,
Lamiaceae. They are small woody plants. The name is most often applied to those species in the genus that are grown as
herbs and for ornament. The commonest forms of these is the English Lavender,
Lavandula angustifolia (formerly
L. officinalis). A wide range of cultivated forms can be found. Other commonly grown ornamental species are
L. stoechas,
L. dentata,
L. multifida.
Lavenders are much grown in gardens. Flower spikes are used for dried flower arrangements. The fragrant, pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in potpourris. Dried and sealed in pouches, they are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and as a deterrent to moths. The plant is also grown commercially for extraction of
lavender oil from the flowers. This oil is used as an
antiseptic and for
aromatherapy.
Lavender blossoms yield abundant
nectar which yields a high quality
honey for beekeepers. Lavender varietal honey is produced primarily in the nations around the
Mediterranean, and marketed worldwide as a premium product. Lavender blossoms can be candied and are used as cake decoration. Lavender is also used as a herb, either alone or as an ingredient of
herbes de Provence.
The
genus Lavandula includes
annuals, herbaceous plants and sub-shrubs, and small shrubs. The native range of the genus extends across the
Canary Islands, North and East
Africa, south
Europe and the Mediterranean,
Arabia, and
India. Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens world-wide, they are occasionally found growing wild, as garden escapes, well beyond their natural range.
\n\n \n |
\n| \nFlower of cultivated lavender; Lavandula stoechas or French lavender\n |
\n
External link
\n*the genus Lavandula - mediterranean climate gardening throughout the world -- Includes information on different species and cultivars.
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Category:Herbs
