Spanish lavender, cantueso

Description:

Lavandula stoechas is a perennial shrub, up to 100 cm tall. The leaves are up to 4 cm long, greyish and tomentose. The flowers are pinkish-purple (lavender-coloured), produced on spikes 2–3 cm long at the top of slender, leafless stems 10–30 cm long. At the top of the spike are a number of much larger, sterile bracts (no flowers between them), 10–50 mm long and bright lavender purple (rarely white). This species is more fragile than common lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), as it is less winter hardy; but harsher and more resinous in its oils. Stoechas lavender is used commercially in air fresheners and insecticides.

Habitat:

It occurs naturally in the Mediterranean region. Spotted at the Parque nacional de Monfragüe, Cáceres

Notes:

Flower spikes can be used internally for headaches, irritability, feverish colds and nausea, and externally used for wounds, rheumatic pain and as an insect repellent. Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/60 sec. f/32 ISO Speed Rating: 200. Focal Length: 90.0 mm. Flash fired