spanish lavender

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• spanish lavender

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stoechas pedunculata
• Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata
• Lavandula stoechas var. pedunculata
• Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Lamiales, and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Lavandula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing throughout both Portugal and Spain. Its range extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the European portion of Türkiye. Additionally, the species is present in Northern Africa, particularly in Morocco. Finally, its habitat includes the Macaronesian islands, most notably the Canary Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lavandula pedunculata is defined by its adaptation to a diverse vertical distribution within its native habitats, spanning a significant altitudinal gradient. This species is capable of thriving across an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1500 m AMSL. Such a broad ecological niche suggests a high degree of plasticity, allowing the plant to inhabit various microclimates ranging from coastal lowlands to montane environments. This range necessitates an ability to tolerate varying degrees of temperature fluctuations, moisture availability, and atmospheric pressure, facilitating its establishment in diverse topographical settings within its geographical territory.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lavandula pedunculata is characterized by its classification as a perennial herb with a specific growth habit defined by its survival strategy. In terms of its ecological life form, the species is categorized as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennating buds are located close to the soil surface, allowing it to endure seasonal environmental stresses. More specifically, its life form can be further distinguished as a chamaephyte within the broader spectrum of plant strategies, positioning it between more robust phanerophytes and shorter-lived therophytes. This growth pattern enables the plant to maintain a stable presence in its habitat, utilizing its low-lying buds to regenerate after periods of dormancy or unfavorable climatic conditions.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Lavandula pedunculata is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a self-supporting structure that does not require climbing assistance. The plant maintains an erect shoot orientation and typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.6 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial habit rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic lifestyle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lavandula pedunculata is characterized by specific morphological adaptations of its foliage, which plays a critical role in its metabolic and transpiration processes. The leaves exhibit an elliptic form, a structural adaptation that optimizes light interception and surface area management. These leaves demonstrate significant dimensional variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width is notably slender, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm. This narrow, elliptic configuration suggests a physiological strategy to minimize water loss through transpiration while maintaining efficient gas exchange and photosynthetic capacity within its natural habitat.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

4.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.6 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lavandula pedunculata is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in February and extends through September, though the timing can be variable. During this cycle, the plant produces violet-colored flowers, each measuring a maximum of 0.55 cm in length, which are arranged in inflorescences ranging from a minimum of 0.015 m to a maximum of 0.04 m. Following pollination, the plant develops brown fruits that are relatively small, with a length varying between 0.18 cm and 0.22 cm and a width between 0.12 cm and 0.13 cm. The resulting seeds are exceptionally lightweight, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.000303333 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0001 g to a maximum of 0.00071 g.

Flower colour :

violet

Flower length max:

0.55 cm

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

0.22 cm

Fruit length min:

0.18 cm

Fruit width max:

0.13 cm

Fruit width min:

0.12 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.015 m

Seed mass max:

0.00071 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000303333 g

Seed mass min:

1e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lavandula pedunculata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include glucose.

glucose

1. Pharmaceutics

Activities

Lavandula pedunculata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic.

Antihyperglycemic

1. Pharmaceutics

Conditions

Lavandula pedunculata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes.

Hyperglycemia

1. Pharmaceutics

Type 2 diabetes

1. Pharmaceutics

Preparations

Lavandula pedunculata has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential Oils, Essential oil, aqueous extract, ethanolic extract.

Essential oils

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Essential oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract

1. Pharmaceutics

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology