Plant · GBIF taxon 2927305
Lavandula angustifolia
lavandula angustifoliaAlso known as True Lavender, English Lavender, Garden Lavender, Narrow-Leaved Lavender
English lavender produces dense spikes of fragrant, violet-blue flowers atop slender, grey-green stems that form compact, rounded shrubs. These hardy perennials thrive in sunny, dry, rocky soils, drawing a vast array of native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with their abundant nectar. Their aromatic essential oils, concentrated in tiny glandular hairs on the leaves and flowers, serve as a natural defense against grazing herbivores.
AromaticFloweringDrought-Tolerant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Minerals
Predators
- Spittlebugs
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
ThreatsHabitat loss, climate change, and fungal root rot
HabitatsDry rocky slopes, hillsides, shrublands, and Mediterranean-type shrubby ecosystems
Life span20 to 30 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLamiales
- FamilyLamiaceae
- GenusLavandula
- Specieslavandula angustifolia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; safe to touch and observe.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, causing gastrointestinal upset if consumed in large quantities.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for narrow, grey-green leaves and spikes of purple-blue flowers arranged in whorls.
- What to do
- Keep potted plants out of reach of curious pets and avoid using concentrated lavender essential oils near animals.
Responsible observation
- Gently Brush the Foliage: Release the calming essential oils by lightly running your hands over the leaves.
- Watch for Bees: Observe the flowers during sunny mornings to spot a diverse array of native pollinators.
- Check the Soil: Ensure the surrounding earth is dry and well-drained before planting to prevent root rot.
Pollinator Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion Margalob / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Carolina Latorre Canet, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Davide Puddu, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Davide Puddu · cc-by
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