Lavandula stoechas
French lavender
Lavandula stoechas, commonly known as Spanish lavender or butterfly lavender, is a fragrant perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean. Renowned for its striking purple bracts, this medicinal herb offers soothing properties. It is traditionally used to alleviate anxiety, promote sleep, and treat skin irritations through its aromatic essential oils.
- Scientific name: Lavandula stoechas
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Lavandula | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Lavandula stoechas, is recognized by various local names across different languages and cultures. In Russian, it is referred to as Лаванда стэхадская, while in Hebrew, it is known as אזוביון דגוול. In Turkey, it goes by the name Karabaş otu, and in the Corsican language, it is called Piumbonu. Additionally, in German, it is commonly identified as Schopf-Lavendeл.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Лаванда стэхадская | Wikidata |
| he | אזוביון דגול | Wikidata |
| tr | Karabaş otu | Wikidata |
| co | Piumbonu | Wikidata |
| de | Schopf-Lavendel | Wikidata |
| fa | اسطوخودوس | Wikidata |
| az | Yunan lavandası | Wikidata |
| nl | Franse lavendel | Wikidata |
| da | Sommerfugle-Lavendel | Wikidata |
| gl | Cantroxo | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the Mediterranean regions of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing naturally in the Balearic Islands, known as Baleares. Its presence extends to the island of Corsica and the coastal areas of France. Additionally, the species is widely distributed throughout Portugal. Finally, it is commonly located on the island of Sardegna.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Lavandula stoechas, is highly valued for its therapeutic properties, which are primarily concentrated in its aerial parts. The most visually striking and medicinally significant component is the flower part, which features distinctive bracts and fragrant blooms. Within these structures, the plant synthesizes concentrated essential oils (EOs) that provide its signature calming aroma. When harvested and processed, the essential oil extracted from the plant is used extensively in aromatherapy and topical applications, as the quality of these essential oils is a key indicator of the plant's overall medicinal potency.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower part | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils (EOs) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Lavandula stoechas has 35 reported phytochemicals identified across 48 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include camphor, fenchone, flavonoids, 1,8-cineole, 1.8-cineole.
- Total chemicals
- 35
- Scientific sources
- 48
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| camphor | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| fenchone | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 1,8-cineole | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1.8-cineole | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-hydroxybenzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| L-fenchone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mg | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Na | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Lavandula stoechas has 15 reported activities identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Anticholinergic.
- Total activities
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 27
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antibacterial | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiglycation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Lavandula stoechas has 30 reported medicinal uses identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, gastrointestinal disorders, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Cancer.
- Total uses
- 30
- Scientific sources
- 32
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus cereus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candidiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Enterococcus faecalis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |