Spike Lavender, Broadleaved lavender

Lavandula latifolia

Basic Information

Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Genus: lavandula

Plant ID (slug): lavandula-latifolia

Numeric ID: 23304

USDA Hardiness: 6-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Lavandula latifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

Europe - W. Mediterranean.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Condiment Leaves - raw[2, 15]. Used as a condiment in salads[177]. Very aromatic[7], they cannot be eaten in quantity[K]. An essential oil from the flowers is used as a food flavouring[183].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Antibacterial Antiseptic Antispasmodic Aromatherapy Carminative Emmenagogue Spike lavender has similar medicinal properties to common lavender (L. angustifolia). It yields more essential oil than that species but is of inferior quality[254]. The flowering stems, and the essential oil obtained from them, is abortifacient, antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative and emmenagogue[46, 61, 254]. They can be used in all the ways that common lavender is used, externally to treat wounds, burns, insect stings etc and internally to treat digestive disorders[254]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Immune system'[210].