Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of perennial flowering plants in the mints family, Lamiaceae.[1] It is native to the Old World, primarily found across the drier, warmer regions of mainland Eurasia, with an affinity for maritime breezes.[2]
| Lavender | |
|---|---|
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| Lavender flowers with bracts | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nepetoideae |
| Tribe: | Ocimeae |
| Genus: | Lavandula L. |
| Type species | |
| Lavandula spica | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Lavender is found on the Iberian Peninsula and around the entirety of the Mediterranean coastline (including the Adriatic coast, the Balkans, the Levant, and coastal North Africa), in parts of Eastern and Southern Africa and the Middle East, as well as in South Asia and on the Indian subcontinent.[3]
Many members of the genus are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as ornamental plants for garden and landscape use, for use as culinary herbs, and also commercially for the extraction of essential oils.[4] Lavender is used in traditional medicine and as an ingredient in cosmetics.
Description
editThe genus includes annual or short-lived herbaceous perennial plants, and shrub-like perennials, subshrubs or small shrubs.[5]
Leaf shape is diverse across the genus. They are simple in some commonly cultivated species; in other species, they are pinnately toothed, or pinnate, sometimes multiple pinnate and dissected. In most species, the leaves are covered in fine hairs or indumentum, which normally contain essential oils.[5]
Flowers are contained in whorls, held on spikes rising above the foliage, the spikes being branched in some species. Some species produce colored bracts at the tips of the inflorescences. The flowers may be blue, violet, or lilac in the wild species, occasionally blackish purple or yellowish. The sepal calyx is tubular. The corolla is also tubular, usually with five lobes (the upper lip often cleft, and the lower lip has two clefts).[6]
Phytochemicals
editSome 100 individual phytochemicals have been identified in lavender oil, including major contents of linalyl acetate (30–55%), linalool (20–35%), tannins (5–10%), and caryophyllene (8%), with lesser amounts of sesquiterpenoids, perillyl alcohols, esters, oxides, ketones, cineole, camphor, beta-ocimene, limonene, caproic acid, and caryophyllene oxide.[7][8][9] The relative amounts of these compounds vary considerably among lavender species.[7]
Taxonomy
editLavandula stoechas, L. pedunculata, and L. dentata were known in Roman times.[10]: 51 From the Middle Ages onwards, the European species were considered two separate groups or genera, Stoechas (L. stoechas, L. pedunculata, L. dentata) and Lavandula (L. spica and L. latifolia), until Carl Linnaeus combined them. He recognised only five species in Species Plantarum (1753), L. multifida and L. dentata (Spain) and L. stoechas and L. spica from Southern Europe. L. pedunculata was included within L. stoechas.
By 1790, L. pinnata and L. carnosa were recognised. The latter was subsequently transferred to Anisochilus. By 1826, Frédéric Charles Jean Gingins de la Sarraz listed 12 species in three sections, and by 1848 eighteen species were known.[10]: 51
One of the first modern major classifications was that of Dorothy Chaytor in 1937 at Kew. The six sections she proposed for 28 species still left many intermediates that could not easily be assigned. Her sections included Stoechas, Spica, Subnudae, Pterostoechas, Chaetostachys, and Dentatae. However, all the major cultivated and commercial forms resided in the Stoechas and Spica sections. There were four species within Stoechas (Lavandula stoechas, L. dentata, L. viridis, and L. pedunculata) while Spica had three (L. officinalis (now L. angustifolia), L. latifolia and L. lanata). She believed that the garden varieties were hybrids between true lavender L. angustifolia and spike lavender (L. latifolia).[11]
Lavandula has three subgenera:[12][13][14]
- Subgenus Lavandula is mainly of woody shrubs with entire leaves. It contains the principal species grown as ornamental plants and for oils. They are found across the Mediterranean region to northeast Africa and western Arabia.
- Subgenus Fabricia consists of shrubs and herbs, and it has a wide distribution from the Atlantic to India. It contains some ornamental plants.
- Subgenus Sabaudia constitutes two species in the southwest Arabian peninsula and Eritrea, which are rather distinct from the other species, and are sometimes placed in their own genus Sabaudia.
In addition, there are numerous hybrids and cultivars in commercial and horticultural usage.[5]
The first major clade corresponds to subgenus Lavandula, and the second Fabricia. The Sabaudia group is less clearly defined. Within the Lavandula clade, the subclades correspond to the existing sections but place Dentatae separately from Stoechas, not within it. Within the Fabricia clade, the subclades correspond to Pterostoechas, Subnudae, and Chaetostachys.
Thus the current classification includes 39 species distributed across 8 sections (the original 6 of Chaytor and the two new sections of Upson and Andrews), in three subgenera (see table below). However, since lavender cross-pollinates easily, countless variations present difficulties in classification.
Taxonomic table
edit
This is based on the classification of Upson and Andrews, 2004.
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I. Subgenus Lavendula Upson & S.Andrews
II. Subgenus Fabricia (Adams.) Upson & S.Andrews
III. Subgenus Sabaudia (Buscal. & Muschl.) Upson & S.Andrews
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Etymology
editThe English word lavender came into use in the 13th century, and is generally thought to derive from Old French lavandre,[15] ultimately from Latin lavare from lavo (to wash),[16] referring to the use of blue infusions of the plants for bathing.[10]: 35 The botanic name Lavandula as used by Linnaeus is considered to be derived from this and other European vernacular names for the plants.[17]
The names widely used for some of the species, "English lavender", "French lavender" and "Spanish lavender" are all imprecisely applied. "English lavender" is commonly used for L. angustifolia, though some references say the proper term is "Old English lavender".[18] The name "French lavender" may refer to either L. stoechas or to L. dentata. "Spanish lavender" may refer to L. pedunculata,[19] L. stoechas,[20] or L. lanata.
Cultivation
edit
The most common form in cultivation is the common or English lavender Lavandula angustifolia (formerly named L. officinalis). A wide range of cultivars can be found. Other commonly grown ornamental species are L. stoechas, L. dentata, and L. multifida (Egyptian lavender).
Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens worldwide, they are occasionally found growing wild as garden escapes, well beyond their natural range. Such spontaneous growth is usually harmless, but in some cases, Lavandula species have become invasive. For example, in Australia, L. stoechas has become a cause for concern; it occurs widely throughout the continent and has been declared a noxious weed in Victoria since 1920.[21] It is regarded as a weed in parts of Spain.[22]
Lavenders flourish best in dry, well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils in full sun.[23] English lavender has a long germination process (14–28 days) and matures within 100–110 days.[24] All types need little or no fertilizer and good air circulation. In areas of high humidity, root rot due to fungus infection can be a problem. Organic mulches can trap moisture around the plants' bases, encouraging root rot. Gravelly materials such as crushed rocks give better results.[25] It grows best in soils with a pH between 6 and 8.[26] Most lavender is hand-harvested, and harvest times vary depending on intended use.[26]
Health risks
editThe U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that lavender is considered likely safe in food amounts, and that topical uses may cause allergic reactions.[27] The NCCIH does not recommend the use of lavender while pregnant or breastfeeding because of lack of knowledge of its effects.[27] It recommends caution if young boys use lavender oil because of possible hormonal effects leading to gynecomastia.[27][28][29]
A 2007 study examined the relationship between various fragrances and photosensitivity, stating that lavender is known "to elicit cutaneous photo-toxic reactions", but does not induce photohaemolysis.[30]
Some people experience contact dermatitis, allergic eczema, or facial dermatitis from the use of lavender oil on skin.[7][27]
Uses
edit
Lavender oil
editCommercially, the plant is grown mainly for the production of lavender essential oil. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) yields an oil with sweet overtones and can be used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications.[7]
Lavandula × intermedia, also known as lavandin or Dutch lavender, hybrids of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia.[31] are widely cultivated for commercial use since their flowers tend to be bigger than those of English lavender and the plants tend to be easier to harvest.[32] They yield a similar essential oil, but with higher levels of terpenes including camphor, which add a sharper overtone to the fragrance, regarded by some as of lower quality than that of English lavender.
The US Food and Drug Administration considers lavender as generally recognized as safe for human consumption.[8] The essential oil was used in hospitals during World War I.[23]
Culinary
edit
Culinary lavender is usually English lavender, the most commonly used species in cooking (L. angustifolia 'Munstead'). As an aromatic, it has a sweet fragrance with lemon or citrus notes.[33] It is used as a spice or condiment in pastas, salads and dressings, and desserts.[34][35] Their buds and greens are used in teas, and their buds, processed by bees, are the essential ingredient of a monofloral honey.[36]
Culinary history
editSpanish nard (Old French: "spykenard de spayn le pays"), referring to L. stoechas, is listed as an ingredient in making a spiced wine, namely hippocras, in The Forme of Cury.[37]
Lavender was introduced into England in the 1600s. It is said that Queen Elizabeth I of England prized a lavender conserve (jam) at her table, so lavender was produced as a jam at that time, as well as used in teas both medicinally and for its taste.[33]
Lavender was not used in traditional southern French cooking at the turn of the 20th century. It does not appear at all in the best-known compendium of Provençal cooking, J.-B. Reboul's Cuisinière Provençale.[38] French lambs have been allowed to graze on lavender as it is alleged to make their meat more tender and fragrant.[33] In the 1970s, a blend of herbs called herbes de Provence was invented by spice wholesalers. Culinary lavender is added to the mixture in the North American version.[39]
In the 21st century, lavender is used in many world regions to flavor tea, vinegar, jellies, baked goods, and beverages.[40]
Buds
editFor most cooking applications the dried buds, which are also referred to as flowers, are used. Lavender greens have a more subtle flavor when compared to rosemary.[41]
The potency of the lavender flowers increases with drying which necessitates more sparing use to avoid a heavy, soapy aftertaste. Chefs note to reduce by two-thirds the dry amount in recipes that call for fresh lavender buds.[33][42][better source needed]
Lavender buds can amplify both sweet and savory flavors in dishes and are sometimes paired with sheep's milk and goat's milk cheeses. Lavender flowers are occasionally blended with black, green, or herbal teas. Lavender flavors baked goods and desserts, pairing especially well with chocolate. In the United States, both lavender syrup and dried lavender buds are used to make lavender scones and marshmallows.[43][44]
Lavender buds are put into sugar for two weeks to allow the essential oils and fragrance to transfer; then the sugar itself is used in baking. Lavender can be used in breads where recipes call for rosemary. Lavender can be used decoratively in dishes or spirits, or as a decorative and aromatic in a glass of champagne. Lavender is used in savory dishes, giving stews and reduced sauces aromatic flair. It is also used to scent flans, custards, and sorbets.[33]
In honey
editThe flowers yield abundant nectar, from which bees make a high-quality honey. Monofloral honey is produced primarily around the Mediterranean Sea, and is marketed worldwide as a premium product. Flowers can be candied and are sometimes used as cake decorations. It is also used to make "lavender sugar".[36]
Herbalism
editThe German scientific committee on traditional medicine, Commission E, reported uses of lavender flower in practices of herbalism, including its use for restlessness or insomnia, Roemheld syndrome, intestinal discomfort, and cardiovascular diseases, among others.[45]
Other uses
editFlower spikes are used for dried flower arrangements. The fragrant, pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in potpourris. Lavender is also used as herbal filler inside sachets used to freshen linens. Dried and sealed in pouches, lavender flowers are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and to deter moths.[46] Dried lavender flowers may be used for wedding confetti. Lavender is also used in scented waters, soaps, and sachets.
In culture
editThe ancient Greeks called the lavender herb νάρδος: nárdos, Latinized as nardus, after the Syrian city of Naarda (possibly the modern town of Duhok, Iraq). It was also commonly called nard.[47] The species originally grown was L. stoechas.[5]
During Roman times, flowers were sold for 100 denarii per pound, which was about the same as a month's wages for a farm laborer, or fifty haircuts from the local barber. Its late Latin name was lavandārius, from lavanda (things to be washed), from lavāre from the verb lavo (to wash).[16][48]
Since the late 19th century, lavenders and their color[49][50] have been associated with the queer community.[51][50]
Gallery
edit-
Lavender flower -
Flower of cultivated lavender; Lavandula stoechas -
Lavender garden, India -
Lavandula fields near Drama, Greece -
Lavandula angustifolia flower -
Lavender plant by a mosque in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina -
Bunches of lavender for sale, intended to repel insects -
Lavender products for sale at a San Francisco farmers market
References
edit- ^ a b "Lavandula L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "How do you plant a seaside garden? Planting for coastal conditions". Learning with Experts. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ Forney, Julie Martens (n.d.). "Outdoor flowering plants – mona lavender". HGTV. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
- ^ "Plectranthus Mona lavender". Plant Finder. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d Upson, T.; Andrews, S. (2004). The Genus Lavandula. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2004. ISBN 9780881926422. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ^ Bailey, L. H. (1924). Manual of Cultivated Plants. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company.
- ^ a b c d "Lavender". Drugs.com. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Lavender". Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Library of Medicine, US National Institutes of Health. 3 December 2018. PMID 30000925. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ Umezu, Toyoshi; Nagano, Kimiyo; Ito, Hiroyasu; Kosakai, Kiyomi; Sakaniwa, Misao; Morita, Masatoshi (1 December 2006). "Anticonflict effects of lavender oil and identification of its active constituents". Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 85 (4): 713–721. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2006.10.026. PMID 17173962. S2CID 21779233.
- ^ a b c Lis-Balchin, Maria, ed. (2002). Lavender: The genus Lavandula. London, England, UK: Taylor and Francis. ISBN 0-415-28486-4.
- ^ Chaytor D A. A taxonomic study of the genus Lavandula. 1937
- ^ Habàn, Miroslav (16 May 2023). "Lavandula Species, Their Bioactive Phytochemicals, and Their Biosynthetic Regulation". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 24 (10): 8831. doi:10.3390/ijms24108831. PMC 10219037. PMID 37240177.
- ^ Moja S, Guitton Y, Nicole F, et al. (November 2016). "Genome size and plastid trnK-matK markers give new insights into the evolutionary history of the genus Lavandula L." Plant Biosystems. 150 (6): 1216–1224. Bibcode:2016PBios.150.1216M. doi:10.1080/11263504.2015.1014006. S2CID 84974038 – via Ebsco.
- ^ Héral, Bénédicte; Stierlin, Émilie; Fernandez, Xavier; Michel, Thomas (2021). "Phytochemicals from the genus Lavandula: a review". Phytochemistry Reviews. 20 (4): 751–771. Bibcode:2021PChRv..20..751H. doi:10.1007/s11101-020-09719-z. S2CID 224898995 – via SpringerLink.
- ^ Weekley, Ernest (1921). "lavender". An etymological dictionary of modern English. London: John Murray. p. 703.
- ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879). "lavo". A Latin Dictionary. Perseus Digital Library.
- ^ "lavender | Etymology of lavender by etymonline". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Life, Country (10 March 2014). "Plant of the week: Old English Lavender". Country Life. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ Graham Rice (4 July 2023). "Best lavender varieties – 14 perfumed beauties for flowers and foliage". homesandgardens.com. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "23 Lavender Varieties for a Fragrant Garden Wherever You Live". Better Homes & Gardens. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ Carr, G.W; Yugovic, J.V; Robinson, K.E. (1992). Environmental Weed Invasions in Victoria – conservation and management implications. Victoria, Australia: Department of Conservation and Environment and Ecological Horticulture.
- ^ Csurches, S.; Edwards, R. (January 1998). National Weeds Program, Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia, Candidate Species for Preventative Control (PDF). Queensland Department of Natural Resources. ISBN 0-642-21409-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2007.
- ^ a b Grieve, M. (1971). A Modern Herbal. Vol. II. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-486-22799-5.
- ^ "How to grow lavender in your garden this summer". Good Housekeeping. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Brenzel, Kathleen Norris. The Sunset Western Garden Book (7th ed.).
- ^ a b Ernst, Matt (2017). "Lavender" (PDF). University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification.
- ^ a b c d "Lavender". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Oils 'make male breasts develop'". British Broadcasting Corporation. February 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "More evidence essential oils 'make male breasts develop'". British Broadcasting Corporation. March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ Placzek, M; Frömel, W; Eberlein, B; Gilbertz, KP; Przybilla, B (2007). "Evaluation of phototoxic properties of fragrances". Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 87 (4): 312–6. doi:10.2340/00015555-0251. PMID 17598033.
Also, oils of lemon, lavender, lime, sandalwood, and cedar are known to elicit cutaneous phototoxic reactions, but lavender, sandalwood, and cedar oil did not induce photohaemolysis in our assay...Lavender oil and sandalwood oil did not induce photohaemolysis in our test system. However, a few reports on photosensitivity reactions due to these substances have been published, e.g. one patient with persistent light reaction and a positive photo-patch test to sandalwood oil
- ^ Mark Griffiths, Index of Garden Plants (Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 1994. ISBN 0-333-59149-6),
- ^ National Non-Food Crops Centre. "Lavender" Archived 16 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 23 April 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Lavender WhatsCookingAmerica.net
- ^ Pasta With Shredded Vegetables and Lavender Recipe, New York Times, 27 August 2008
- ^ M. G. Kains (1912). American Agriculturist (ed.). Culinary Herbs: Their Cultivation Harvesting Curing and Uses (English). Orange Judd Company.
- ^ a b "Cooking with Lavender – Purple Haze Lavender (Sequim, WA)". Purple Haze Lavender. Archived from the original on 17 April 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2008.
- ^ "The Forme of Cury". Project Gutenberg. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
PUR FAIT YPOCRAS. XX.IX. XI. Treys Unces de canett. & iii unces de gyngeuer, spykenard de Spayn le pays dun denerer, garyngale, clowes, gylofre, poeurer long, noiez mugadez, maziozame cardemonij de chescun i quart' douce grayne & de paradys stour de queynel de chescun dim unce de toutes, soit fait powdour &c.
- ^ J.-B. Reboul; Cuisinière Provençale (1910)
- ^ Laget, F. (2005). "From its Birthplace in Egypt to Marseilles, an Ancient Trade: Drugs and Spices". Diogenes. 52 (3): 131–139. doi:10.1177/0392192105055941. S2CID 144212782.
- ^ Charles, Denys J. (2012), "Lavender", Antioxidant Properties of Spices, Herbs and Other Sources, New York, NY: Springer New York, p. 365, ISBN 9781461443100, retrieved 5 September 2021
- ^ "Cooking with Lavender?". Chowhound. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ "Cooking With Lavender", Bon Appetit, 27 March 2015
- ^ Stradley, Linda (22 April 2015). "Lavender Scones, Whats Cooking America". What's Cooking America. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ Maclain, Ben (2 May 2015). "Lavender Marshmallows – Havoc In The Kitchen". Havoc in the Kitchen. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ "Expanded Commission E monograph: Lavender flower". cms.herbalgram.org. Integrative Medicine Communications, Germany; from the American Botanical Council. 2000. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ McCray, Carole. "Lavender – the loveliest of herbs". The Register-Guard. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ^ The origin of most of these quotes comes from Dr. William Thomas Fernie, in his book "Herbal Simples" (Bristol Pub., second edition, 1897), page 298:
'By the Greeks the name Nardus is given to Lavender, from Naarda, a city of Syria near the Euphrates, and many persons call the plant "Nard." St. Mark mentions this as Spikenard, a thing of great value. In Pliny's time, blossoms of the Nardus sold for a hundred Roman denarii (or L.3 2s. 6d.) the pound. This Lavender or Nardus was called Asarum by the Romans, because it was not used in garlands or chaplets. It was formerly believed that the asp, a dangerous kind of viper, made Lavender its habitual place of abode, so that the plant had to be approached with great caution.'
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary (second ed.). 1989.
Note however that Upson and Andrews refer to research on bathing in the Roman Empire, and state that there is no mention of the use of lavender in works on this subject.
- ^ "LGBTQ lexicon: What's the significance of the color lavender?". Dallas News. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b Willingham, A. J. (25 June 2023). "The secret queer history of flowers". CNN. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "How Lavender Became a Symbol of LGBTQ Resistance". History News Network. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
Further reading
editExternal links
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