Lavandula latifolia, known as broadleaved lavender, spike lavender, aspic lavender or Portuguese lavender, is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to the western Mediterranean basin. Hybridization can occur in the wild with English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).
The scent of Lavandula latifolia is stronger, with more camphor, and more pungent than Lavandula angustifolia scent.
Description Lavandula latifolia is a strongly aromatic shrub growing to 30–80 cm tall. The leaves are evergreen, 3–6 cm long and 5–8 mm broad.
The flowers are pale lilac, produced on spikes 2–5 cm long at the top of slender, leafless stems 20–50 cm long. Flowers from June to September, depending on weather.
The fruit is a nut, indehiscent, monosperm of hardened pericarp. It consists of four small nuts which often remain locked inside the calyx tube. Grows from 0 to 1,700 m amsl.Bolòs and Vigo Flora dels Països Catalans Barcelona 1990
Etymology The species name latifolia is Latin for "broadleaf". The genus name Lavandula simply means lavender.
Chemical composition Camphor (10.8–23.2%) Eucalyptol (28.0–34.9%) Borneol (0.9–3.6%) α-Pinene(? %) β-Pinene(0.8–2.6%) Caryophyllene (0.5–1.9%) Camphene(0.4–0.6%) Guaiazulene (? %) Linalool (27.2–43.1%) Geraniol (? %) Limonene (0.2–0.9%)
Uses Lavandula latifolia can be used in aromatherapy.
References
Bibliography Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. (2000). Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs, First Edition. Newton, Mass.: Integrative Medicine Communications. . . Grases F, Melero G, Costa-Bauza A, March JG (September 1994). "Urolithiasis and Phytotherapy" . Int Urol Nephrol; 26(5): 507–511. . [Medical Economics Company] (2000). PDR for Herbal Medicines. Second Edition. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company. . . Paris RR, Moyse H. (1971). Matière Médicale. Tome [Vol.] III: Pharmacognosie spéciale, Dicotylédones (suite) : Gamopétales. Masson & Cie., Paris. .
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