Spike lavender

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Broad-leaved Lavender
• Spike Lavendar
• broadleaf lavender
• spike lavender
• Portuguese lavender

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lavandula latifolia var. tomentosa
• Lavandula cladophora
• Lavandula interrupta
• Lavandula decipiens
• Lavandula guinardii
• Lavandula spica subsp. latifolia
• Lavandula spica var. ramosa
• Lavandula spica var. latifolia
• Lavandula latifolia var. erigens
• Lavandula latifolia var. erigens
• Lavandula erigens
• Lavandula inclinans
• Lavandula ovata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Lavandula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing naturally within the Baleares islands and throughout the coastal regions of France. Its presence also extends across the Iberian Peninsula, covering significant areas of both Portugal and Spain. Additionally, the species reaches into Southeastern Europe, specifically inhabiting parts of Italy. Together, these locations define the core Mediterranean range of Lavandula latifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lavandula latifolia is characterized by its adaptation to specific montane and sub-montane environments, typically thriving in Mediterranean-type climates marked by seasonal precipitation and high solar exposure. This species demonstrates a distinct preference for well-drained, often calcareous or rocky soils, which prevents waterlogging and supports its drought-tolerant physiological mechanisms. Its distribution is vertically stratified within mountainous terrains, exhibiting a specific elevational range that dictates its ecological niche. Based on observed data, the species maintains an elevational range mean of 1267 m AMSL, a positioning that allows it to optimize the balance between temperature fluctuations and moisture availability. Within these altitudinal zones, it often forms part of garrigue or maquis shrublands, where it interacts with specialized pollinators and competes for resources in nutrient-poor, sun-drenched habitats.

Elevational range mean:

1267 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lavandula latifolia is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish long-term presence in its habitat. In terms of its structural growth habit, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennable buds are located close to or just above the soil surface, which provides resilience against various environmental stressors. This life form, identified under both the chamaephyte and chamamephyte classifications, dictates its ability to maintain a low-growing, woody structure that is well-adapted to its specific ecological niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lavandula latifolia is characterized by a growth form that primarily functions as a shrub or a subshrub, displaying a robust and well-defined structure. It is a woody plant that exhibits significant structural integrity, rather than being non-woody or variable in its lignification. As a terrestrial species, it grows directly in the soil as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of its physical support, it is categorized as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not utilize climbing mechanisms such as obligatory or facultative tendrils to reach light, but instead maintains its upright, bushy posture through its own woody framework.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lavandula latifolia is characterized by a highly adapted metabolic framework designed to thrive in Mediterranean climates, most notably through its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process occurs primarily within the mesophyll cells via the enzyme RuBisCO, which facilitates the initial carboxylation of CO2 into a three-carbon molecule. To mitigate the inherent risks of photorespiration and water loss associated with this pathway in arid environments, the plant employs sophisticated physiological mechanisms, including the regulation of stomatal conductance and the development of specialized leaf structures such as trichomes and a waxy cuticle. These anatomical features work in tandem with its C3 metabolism to manage gas exchange and maintain internal water potential. Furthermore, its physiological processes are intricately linked to the biosynthesis of volatile organic compounds within specialized glandular trichomes, where metabolic energy is diverted to produce essential oils as a secondary physiological response to environmental stressors and herbivory.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lavandula latifolia is characterized by the production of dry fruits and specific seed morphological traits. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a relatively small mass, with a mean weight of 0.0009225 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00069 g to a maximum of 0.0011 g. In terms of movement and colonization, the plant utilizes an autochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning it relies on internal mechanisms for seed release.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

0.0011 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0009225 g

Seed mass min:

0.00069 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lavandula latifolia has 65 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include camphor, 1,8-Cineole, Caryophyllene oxide, Isoborneol, LINALYL ACETATE.

camphor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant molecular biology
3. Scientific reports
4. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Journal of separation science

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

Caryophyllene oxide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Isoborneol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

LINALYL ACETATE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science

Linalool

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of separation science

coumarin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

1,8-Cineol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

3-OCTANOL

1. Dr. Duke

3-Octanone

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Lavandula latifolia has 342 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Abortifacient, Anesthetic, Cytotoxic, Teratogenic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of aquatic animal health

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Teratogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ABeta-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations