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Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameLavender

DescriptionIconic aromatic herb featuring slender spikes of small, intensely fragrant flowers in shades of purple, violet, blue, pink, or white rising above mounds of silvery-green, needle-like foliage. The distinctive sweet, floral scent has made lavender one of the world's most beloved and commercially important plants for essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics, and culinary use. A Mediterranean native that thrives in hot, dry conditions, valued for its beauty, fragrance, drought tolerance, and numerous medicinal and practical applications.

FamilyLamiaceae

GenusLavandula

TribeOcimeae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula% ⚥ K(5) C(5) A4 G(2)

Bilaterally symmetrical (slightly zygomorphic), bisexual, 5 fused sepals forming tubular calyx, 5 fused petals forming two-lipped corolla (upper lip 2-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed), 4 stamens (didynamous - 2 long, 2 short), 2 fused carpels with superior ovary, characteristic of Lamiaceae

Features

Name 'Lavender' from Latin 'lavare' (to wash), as Romans added lavender to bathwater for its fragrance and antiseptic properties. 'Lavandula' also from this root. About 47 species, with L. angustifolia (English lavender) most widely cultivated. Ancient herb used for over 2,500 years
Small tubular flowers 0.25-0.5 inches (6-12 mm) long arranged in whorls along slender spikes 2-8 inches tall. Flowers typically purple-blue, also violet, pink, white depending on variety. Blooms summer (June-August). Flowers and foliage highly aromatic, releasing fragrance when touched or brushed
Evergreen woody perennial forming compact, mounded shrubs. Square stems characteristic of mint family. Silver-gray to gray-green narrow leaves retain color year-round. Blooms on current season's growth. Requires periodic pruning to maintain shape and vigor
Grows 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall with 2-4 foot (60-120 cm) spread depending on variety. Dwarf types 12-18 inches. Lifespan of 10-20 years with proper care and pruning. Propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings (root in 3-4 weeks) or seed (slow, variable)
Native to Mediterranean region, particularly southern France (Provence), Spain, Italy, and North Africa. L. angustifolia from mountainous areas. Now cultivated worldwide in temperate zones with Mediterranean-type climates. Major commercial production in France, Bulgaria, England, and United States
Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily) for best flowering and oil production. Thrives in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil (pH 6.5-7.5). Extremely drought tolerant once established. Dislikes humidity, wet soil, and rich soil. Hardy zones 5-9 depending on species
Essential oil extracted from flowers used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, aromatherapy, and medicine. Oil has calming, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Used for anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and minor burns. Flowers used in cooking (herbes de Provence), teas, and baking. Dried flowers for sachets and potpourri
Excellent for attracting bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Deer and rabbit resistant. Natural insect repellent (moths, mosquitoes). Ideal for xeriscaping, Mediterranean gardens, and low-water landscapes. Symbolizes devotion, purity, and serenity. One of most economically important aromatic plants globally

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificLavandula angustifolia

English (Alternate)English Lavender, True Lavender, Spike Lavender, Narrow-Leaved Lavender, Sweet Lavender, Common Lavender

Hindiलैवेंडर (Lavender), उस्तुखुदूस (Ustukhudus), लैवेंडर का फूल (Lavender ka phool)

Tamilலவண்டர் (Lavandar), லவங்கப்பூ (Lavanga poo), இலவன்டுலா (Ilavandula)

Teluguలావెండర్ (Lavender), లావెండ్యులా (Lavendula), సుగంధ పుష్పం (Sugandha Pushpam)

Malayalamലാവെൻഡർ (Lavender), ലാവൻഡുല (Lavandula), സുഗന്ധപുഷ്പം (Sugandhapushpam)

Kannadaಲ್ಯಾವೆಂಡರ್ (Lavender), ಲೈವೆಂಡರು (Lyavendaru), ಕರ್ಪೂರದ ಗಿಡ (Karpoorada gida), ಸುಗಂಧ ಹೂವು (Sugandha Hoovu)

Sanskritउस्तुखुदूस (Ustukhudusa), स्पाइकनार्ड (Spaiknard), पुण्डरीक (Pundarika)

Bengaliল্যাভেন্ডার (Lavender), নীলদোলা ফুল (Nildola phul), সুগন্ধি বৃক্ষ (Sugandhi brikkho)

FrenchLavande, Lavande vraie, Lavande officinale, Lavande anglaise

RussianЛаванда (Lavanda), Лаванда узколистная (Lavanda uzkolistnaya), Лаванда английская (Lavanda angliyskaya)

SpanishLavanda, Espliego, Alhucema, Cantueso

GermanLavendel, Echter Lavendel, Schmalblättriger Lavendel

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.