The South! Its olive trees, its cicadas, its warm sun, and its fields of Lavender. Purple. Running along the valleys as far as the eye can see. With their heady perfume. Yes, but are you sure that these pretty plants are really Lavender? Could it be Lavandin?

Plants that look the same

You have probably already heard of Lavandin, but without really knowing what it stands for. When you plant it in your garden, or when it is present in the flowerbeds of cities, you may confuse it with Lavender. It is true that these two plants look very similar: large stems, bunches that grow directly out of the ground, flowers with grey-blue to purple tops... They are of course in the same family and are even closely related. Did you know that without Lavender, Lavandin would not exist (and neither would the hand of man)?  

Lavender 

This plant, which has been known for many, many years, has been examined from every angle, from its different varieties to its botanical properties and its cosmetic properties.

Today we know that there are many varieties and sub-varieties of Lavender, and that although it was originally a wild plant, man has been able to cultivate and clone it. The best known and recognised Lavender is Lavender Angustifolia, which you will find mainly at high altitudes (over 400 metres). Its medicinal virtues make it the "star" of Lavender: it is calming and soothing, and when used externally it is a good ally for sunburn and insect bites. However, this variety of Lavender is fragile and its yield is low, so it is gradually disappearing in favour of other varieties.

Lavandin 

Less capricious than Lavender and above all more robust, it adapts better to the types of soil and climatic conditions, and its yield is greater, so it is being cultivated more and more. The Latin name Lavendula Hybrida is, as its name suggests, a hybrid between two varieties of Lavender. Lavender Angustifolia and Lavender Aspic are therefore its parents. Its yield of essential oil is much higher than that of Lavender, even if its properties are lesser, but they do exist. Its fragrance is also more camphorated, so you can definitely distinguish a Lavender essential oil from a Lavandin essential oil. Being a hybrid, Lavandin cannot reproduce, so without the hand of man, no new plant could be created. 

LAST INFORMATION: WHEN YOU TAKE PICTURES OF YOURSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELDS OF THE VALENSOLE VALLEY, YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF LAVENDER PLANTS. THIS MAY HELP YOU TO RECOGNIZE THIS PLANT BETTER!