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Lavender plant
Lavender plant classification
Lavender plants are found in the genus Lavandula and the family Lamiaceae (the mint family). The genus is made up by 25-30 species and contains annuals and herbaceous plants as well as subshrubs and small shrubs. Examples of commonly known lavender species are Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula dentata and Lavandula multifida.
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Lavender plant range
Lavender originates from the Mediterranean region and grows wild in southern Europe as well as in Arabia and North and East Africa. Wild lavender species can also be found in India. Today, garden escaped lavender can be found in many other parts of the world as well since lavender is such a popular garden plant.
Garden Lavender plants
Several species of Lavender are popular as gardens plants, and you can also select among a wide range of cultivars. The Lavandula angustifolia (Common Lavender) is the most widely grown Lavender species, but Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula multifida and Lavandula dentata are also highly popular. Lavandula stoechas is known by several different names, including Stoechas Lavender, Topped Lavender and French Lavender.
Lavender plants are appreciated by beekeepers since lavender produce plenty of high-quality nectar and forms an ideal base for honey. Bee keepers will therefore often plant lavender around or in close proximity to the beehives. Around the Mediterranean Sea, special lavender honey is produced by bees feeding extensively from lavender flowers.
Lavender plant history
The ancient Greeks associated lavender with a Syrian city named Naarda, and therefore called the lavender plant “Nardus” or “Nard”. The Romans where also great lavender enthusiasts and it was conquering Roman troops that introduced the lavender plant to the British Islands. The Romans used lavender to scent their baths and found lavender treatments highly beneficial for the skin. Lavender could cost up to 100 denarii per pound. This was roughly equivalent to the monthly earnings of a farm worker. When the so called Black Death struck Europe in the 14th century, lavender and lavender oil was used in an effort to prevent the infection.
Lavender plant use
The lavender plant is still used for a wide range of purposes. Fresh as well as candied or dried lavender are used as decoration and can be found in floral arrangement and potpourris as well as on top of beautifully decorated cakes. In addition to cakes, lavender is included in many other types of food and is for instance an essential ingredient in herbes de Provence. Dried lavender can be placed in linen pouches and used to scent garments in your closet. Lavender does not only smell nice, it is also believed to keep moths away from the cloths.
Lavender is also often turned into lavender oil which is highly popular oil in aromatherapy. Before you engage in lavender based aromatherapy or use any other lavender remedies, you should be aware that lavender oil can cause allergic reactions. Apply lavender oil to a small area of skin and wait at least 24 hours to check your reaction. Lavender is traditionally used to treat acne, skin burns and inflammations of the skin.
Copyright 2006 lavenderplant.info.
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