Lavandula Latifolia

Spike Lavender

    What is Lavandula latifolia? Lavandula latifolia is also known as Lavender latifolia, Lavandula spica or Spike Lavender. Lavender latifolia grows at lower altitudes throughout Spain and France, has coarser leaves and foliage and a much higher oil content. This in turn makes spike oil cheaper to produce than that of the other types of Lavenders.




Image by Brice GDFL

     Lavender latifolia is a evergreen shrubby perennial  which has been grown commercially for various uses including Lavender aromatherapy.  This plants foliage can be distinguished from Lavender angustifolia due to its narrow coarser leaves. Blue gray flowers are produced on this plant held up on long stems(hence the name spica) which grows wild in the Mediterranean.

     The Oil from Spike Lavender is considered not as valuable as that of Lavandula angustifolia due to its camphory, menthol-like aroma. Lavandula latifolia crossed with Lavandula angustifolia to produce the Lavandula x intermedias or Lavender hybrids called Lavandins.





    Spike Lavender is also known as Spanish or Portuguese Lavender and is used a great deal commercially in Lavender perfumes, soaps and laundry products. Learn more about how essential oil is produced and about the different methods used to extract the oils.



Picture of L. latifolia or L.spica