Woolly lavender
StarLavandula lanata
Synonyms: Lavandula tomentosa, Lavandula tomentosa var. orzana, Lavandula spica var. lanigera, Lavandula spica var. tomentosa
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Lavandula lanata, commonly known as woolly lavender, is a compact aromatic evergreen subshrub in the family Lamiaceae endemic to the limestone mountains of southern Spain, particularly the Sierra Nevada, the Sierras de Cazorla and Segura and adjacent ranges of Andalucía, where it grows in open rocky garrigue and pine woodlands at 1000 to 2000 metres elevation. Plants form rounded bushy mounds 40 to 80 centimetres tall and as wide, with stout, much-branched woody bases bearing erect leafy non-flowering shoots. The species is distinguished within its genus by the dense, soft, snow-white woolly tomentum that thickly clothes the stems and both surfaces of the leaves and gives the whole plant a striking silvery-white appearance. Leaves are opposite, narrowly oblanceolate to linear-spatulate, 3 to 5 centimetres long and 4 to 8 millimetres wide, with entire and slightly revolute margins. The flowering spikes are slender, unbranched and 5 to 12 centimetres long, borne on long naked peduncles 15 to 30 centimetres tall well above the foliage; the spike consists of dense whorls of small two-lipped intensely fragrant deep violet-purple flowers subtended by small ovate bracts.
Active Constituents
Lavandulol
Acyclic monoterpene alcoholConcentration: Notably high in cultivated L. lanata (>35% in selected cultivars)
Lavandulol is an unusually abundant constituent of L. lanata oil and is valued in perfumery; among lavenders this species is regarded as a particularly rich natural source of lavandulol.
Camphor
Bicyclic monoterpene ketoneConcentration: Major oxygenated monoterpene
Camphor contributes the characteristic penetrating, cooling aroma and antimicrobial activity typical of camphor-rich Iberian lavenders; high-camphor oils are used topically/aromatically rather than for internal use.
1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)
Monoterpene oxideConcentration: Prominent oxygenated monoterpene
1,8-Cineole adds antimicrobial and expectorant-type activity and the fresh, camphoraceous top-note characteristic of the oil.
Octan-3-one
Aliphatic ketoneConcentration: Characteristic minor constituent
A distinctive green/herbaceous odour component reported as a notable constituent of L. lanata oil.
Linalool
Acyclic monoterpene alcoholConcentration: Variable; favoured by cooler, wetter growing conditions
Linalool provides the calming, floral character associated with lavender; its proportion in wild L. lanata varies with climate and generally rises where 1,8-cineole and camphor fall.
Preparation Methods
Essential oil (aromatic use)
Parts: flowering tops, leaves
The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the flowering tops. Because L. lanata oil is camphor-rich, it is used mainly for its aroma and topically in well-diluted form rather than taken internally; camphor-rich lavender oils should be kept away from young children's faces and avoided internally.
Dried flower sachets / infusion
Parts: dried flowers
The woolly, aromatic flowering tops are dried for scenting linen and, like other lavenders, a light infusion of the flowers (about 1 teaspoon per cup, 5-10 minutes) may be used as a mildly calming, aromatic tea.
References
- Barrero AF, Herrador MM, Arteaga P, Arteaga JF, Burillo J. Cultivars of Lavandula lanata Boiss., a Good Source of Lavandulol . Natural Product Communications (2008) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Woolly lavender.
No notes yet.