The lavenders are Arbrisseau X Dicotylédone S of the family of the Lamiacées (or labiées) and kind Lavandula , with generally mauve Fleur S or violets laid out out of ears, whose majority of the species, very odorous, are largely used in all the branches of the Parfum ery. They push especially on the grounds dry and shone upon limestones, except for L. stoechas , which prefers the siliceous grounds.

All the lavenders are plants mellifères, very required by the Abeille S.

History

Come from the west of the Mediterranean basin, the lavender was already used by the Romain S to preserve the linen and to scent the baths. In Provence, the lavender was used as of the Middle Ages, for the composition of perfumes and that of the Médicament S, but it is as from the XIXe century that the culture développe.
The rise of the French production of essential Huile of fine lavender is related to the establishment of perfumeries in the area of Grasse. The setting in systematic culture organized of the lavandin, in the years 1950, will take then the relais.
After several crises which involve the fall of the production and a regression of the cultures, the plantations are started again by the stabilization of surfaces to cultivate and the development of the means of Distillation.

Principal species

If the Latin names of the lavenders hardly any more pose of problems, the same does not apply for the current names from there. The same lavender becomes French, English or Spanish according to the country where it is classified. Four principal species are distinguished:

• Lavandula angustifolia , or true lavender. Old names: L. officinalis , L. will vera . Other usual names: English lavender (certain authors preferring to give this name to the species L. dentata ), lavender of the Alps, fine lavender. They is best lavenders for the quality of its essential oil. In a wild state, it pushes especially in Provence, but it can be cultivated in more septentrional areas, the more so as there exists many cultivars about it. It is a buissonnant shrub being able to reach 1 m height. The sheets, linear and of greenish grey color, have a length varying between 3 and 5 cm. At the time of flowering (April-May), the plant develops long not ramified stalks finished by ears whose color varies pale mauve with the purple one. Only essential oil resulting from this production on a déteminée zone profits from the Appellation of controlled origin (AOC), essential oil of lavender of High-Provence. One counts approximately 4.000 hectares cultivated in the 4 producing departments.

• Lavandula latifolia , or lavender aspic. Old name: L. spica . Compared to the preceding one, its sheets are broader (elliptic) and very odorous. Flowering is later (June-August), and the flowers have a very camphorated odor. They push at the end of ramified stems, which is the surest means to differentiate it from the true lavender. She is much appreciated in perfumery.

• Lavandula intermedia , or lavandin , natural hybrid between L. angustifolia and L. latifolia . It is the third of the lavenders of Provence. Discovered a little by chance, it was cultivated as from the years 1930. The lavandin is the most cultivated species today, because its flower is more productive out of essential oil than the true lavender. On the other hand, its gasoline has less an olfactive good quality, and is used in industrial perfumery. During years, several varieties of this hybrid were selected and reproduced by Bouturage. The surface cultivateds in lavandins are estimated at 17000 hectares. The varieties currently most cultivated are:
• Lavandin Grosso 80% of surfaces in lavandins
• Lavandin Abrial 10%
• Super Lavandin 10%

• Lavandula stoechas , or lavender stéchas, lavender butterfly, cantueso (name especially given to the subspecies L. stoechas pedunculata ). In a wild state, it is certainly the lavender whose geographical territory is vastest (all Mediterranean circumference). But it is not of any utility in perfumery: it feels a little camphor, and anything else. It is distinguished from the preceding species by two characteristics: on the one hand she appreciates especially the siliceous grounds, in particular the schist; other it has at the end of its ears large bractées violets, often darker than the flowers themselves. Flowering: April-July.

Other species or subspecies mentioned:

• Lavandula viridis , of form similar to L. stoechas , also carrying bractées. Greener foliage, generally white flowers. Push in Spain and with the Portugal.

• Lavandula pinnata , originating in the the Canaries.

• Lavandula lanata , woolly lavender (southern of Spain).
• Lavandula dentata , toothed lavender, sometimes called “English lavender”, characterized by its very cut out sheets.

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