Lavandula stoechas

Spanish lavender is a member of the mint or Lamiaceae family and is native to several Mediterranean countries including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.

It is an evergreen shrub that usually grows 0.3 to 1 m tall.

• Leaves are 1–4 cm long, greyish and tomentose.
• Flower heads develop into upper and lower flower areas: Upper flowers form a crown of purple elongated ovoid bracts about 5 cm long; lower flowers form a tight cluster with a rectangular cross-section; flowering is in late spring and early summer.
• Lavandula stoechas is used commercially in air fresheners and insecticides. Flower spikes have been used internally for headaches, irritability, feverish colds and nausea, and externally for wounds, rheumatic pain and as an insect repellent.