French lavender, Italian lavender, Spanish lavender
Lavandula stoechas
Family: Lamiaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 0.6 m high. The stems are much branched. The leaves are greyish green. They are narrow or sword shaped and do not have teeth. The flowers are small. They are dark purple and 6-8 mm long. There are deep purple bracts at the end of the flower. These are 10-50 cm long.
They are used in medicine. There are about 28 Lavandula species. It can be invasive.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in rocky places and open pine forests. It is drought tolerant. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Kyneton Botanical Gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens 1
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, France, Italy, Mediterranean, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Portugal, SE Asia, Sicily, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA
How it is used for food
The plant produces a dark golden honey. The flowers are used as flavouring. The leaves are used to flavour snails and rabbit in cooking. They are also used for a herbal tea.
Edible parts
Spice, honey, leaves - tea, flowers
How it is grown
It spreads by seeds. Plants can be grown by cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Arabian lavender, Bofarull, Cantueso, Cap diase, Khzama, Karabas, Karabus otu, Karahan, Topped lavender