Spike lavender, Sweet lavender
Lavandula latifolia

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 0.9 m high and spreads 1.2 m wide. The leaves are broad and greyish-green. The flower spikes are purple. They are on long stalks. These often have 3 branches.

There are about 28 Lavandula species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Britain, China, Croatia, Europe, France, Greece, India, Mediterranean, Portugal, Spain

How it is used for food

The flowers produce an essential oil that has been used to flavour salads, jellies, and other prepared foods. The flowering parts are used for a herbal tea. They are also used as a flavouring for olives.

Edible parts

Spice, flowers - oil, flowers - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alhucema, Espigol

Synonyms

Lavandula cladophora Gand.; Lavandula hybrida E. Rev. ex Briq.; Lavandula spica auct. non L.; and others