FEMA 2618

Herbaceous hybrid plant that is a cross between lavender and spike lavender. It grows in several varieties, a few of which resemble lavender, while others resemble spike lavender. Originally, the plant grew wild as the result of natural cross-pollination. Today, lavandin is cultivated almost exclusively in southern France (Var, Vaucluse and Drome). Lavandin production in other Mediterranean countries (Italy, Yugoslavia, Spain) is very limited compared to French production. Lavender plants are evergreen shrubs that grow up to 100 cm (3 ft). The plant has small blue or purple flowers. The narrow leaves are gray when young and turn green as they mature. The part used is the flowering herb. Lavandin has a camphoraceous, fresh, herbaceous odor reminiscent of lavender

Found in the plant Lavandula hybrida Reverchon (Fam. Labiatae).

By steam distillation of the flowering stalks of Lavandula hybrida Reverchon (Gildemeister & Hoffman, 1961).

Generally lavender flowers contain 1 to 3% essential oil. Hybrids of lavandin contain a higher volatile oil with variable composition. Lavender oil is a complex mixture of approximately 150 compounds; the most abundant of these are linaloyl acetate (30 to 55%), linalool (20 to 35%), cineole, camphor, β-ocimene, limonene, caproic acid, caryophyllene oxide and tannins (5 to 10%).