LAVANDULA angustifolia (LAVANDULA spica) Lavender ____________________________________ Type: Perennial Height: 2-3' (60-90cm) Flowering Time: Summer Flower Colour: Mauve, purple, pink, white ____________________________________ Botanical Classification: Class: Angiospermae (Angiosperms) Subclass: Dicotyledonae (Dicotyledons) Superorder: Asteridae (Daisy Superorder) Order: Lamiales (Nettle Order) Family: Lamiaceae (Nettle Family) Genus: Lavandula (Lavender) Species: angustifolia (with narrow leaves) ____________________________________

Lavandula angustifolia is one of the most familiar cottage garden plants. It is a woody shrub, although many people would not recognise it as such. It is a perennial plant about two feet high, with flower stems rising to about 3', with evergreen, thin, greyish leaves. Although the base may be woody and gnarled, it makes lush, greener growth very quickly in spring, with a dense cloud of the familiar purple flower spikes in summer.

Both leaves and flowers are aromatic, and the dried flowers have traditionally been used to make lavender bags for keeping linen smelling fresh or for use in lavender pillows to aid a good night's rest.

Lavander is used in herbal medicine and homeopathy. The oil is used to make perfume.

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Harvesting and Growing from Seed:

	Seed Pod There is no seed pod. Each tiny flower in the dense spike produces seeds. The seeds are at the bottom of the narrow calyx.
	Seed The seeds are small dark brown shiny pips. There are four seeds from each flower.
	Seedling The seedling has narrow greyish leaves.
Seed sowing and Germination Spring: Seeds sown outside in spring and autumn germinated in 27-146 days.