Lavender is a genus of 39 species of flowering plants native to the Mediterranean. Lavender is an aromatic shrub growing up to 2 feet tall, with gray-green leaves and purple flowers. It is cultivated for its essential oils, which have antiseptic and calming properties and are used in products like soap, perfumes, and teas.

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2.  The lavenders (botanic name Lavandula) are a genus of 39 species
of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is an Old
World genus, found from Cape Verde and Canary Islands,
southern Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, Lavender
is native to the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean where it
grows in sunny, stony habitats. Today, it flourishes throughout
southern Europe, Australia, and the United States.
 Lavender is a heavily branched short shrub that grows to a height
of roughly 60 centimeters (about 24 inches). Its broad rootstock
bears woody branches with upright, rod like, leafy, green shoots. A
silvery down covers the gray green narrow leaves, which are oblong
and tapered, attached directly at the base, and curled spirally.
 Lavender leaves are oval or oblong in shapes that form curly spiral
patterns

3.  The English word lavender is generally
thought to be derived from Old French
lavandre, to wash, ultimately from the Latin
lavare (to wash), referring to the use of
infusions of the plants.
 The botanic name Lavandula was used by
Linnaeus is considered to be derived from
this.
 The other common names for this herb are
common lavender, English lavender, French
lavender, Garden lavender, Lavandula
angustifolia, Lavandula latifolia, and
Lavandula officinalis.

4.  The lavenders are a genus of 39 species of flowering
plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
Currently, Lavandula is considered to have three
subgenera.
 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.

5.  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.

6. Flowers can be candied
and are sometimes used
as cake decorations.
Lavender flavors baked
goods and desserts (it
pairs especially well with
chocolate), and is also
used to make "lavender
sugar.

7.  Lavender oil is often used in other forms of
integrative medicine, such as massage, acupuncture.
Available Forms:
 Aromatherapy oil
 Bath gels
 Extracts
 Infusions
 Lotions
 Soaps
 Teas
 Tinctures
 Whole, dried flowers

8. Flowers yield abundant
nectar from which bees
make a high-quality honey.
Monofloral honey is produced
primarily around the
Mediterranean, and is
marketed worldwide as a
premium product.

9.  Commercially the plant is grown mainly
for the production of essential oil
of
lavender. This has antiseptic
and anti-inflammatory properties. These
extracts are also used as fragrances for bath
products.
 Lavandin, Lavandula × intermedia (also known
as Dutch lavender), yields a similar essential
oil, but with higher levels of terpenes including
camphor, which add a sharper overtone to the

10. A number of studies have
reported that lavender
essential oil may be beneficial
in a variety of conditions,
including insomnia, alopecia
(hair loss), anxiety, stress,
bites, burns, headaches and
pain. However, most of these
studies have been small.
Lavender is also being studied
for antibacterial and antiviral
properties.

11. They can be made into decorative crafts such as fresh
or dried flower wreaths, bundles, sachets or
potpourris and the most popular of all Lavender
wands.

12. They can be made into
decorative crafts such as
fresh or dried flower
wreaths, bundles, sachets or
potpourris and the most
popular of all Lavender
wands.