Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) is one of the three foundational lavender species, alongside Lavandula angustifolia (true or English lavender) and Lavandula stoechas (Spanish/French lavender). While it's not as commonly cultivated as English lavender or lavandin, it possesses several unique characteristics that set it apart, especially regarding its essential oil profile and growth habit. Understanding these distinct features is valuable whether you're visiting a lavender farm or looking to buy lavender online from a specialized vendor like islandlavender.com.
Here are the unique characteristics of Spike lavender:
1. Essential Oil Chemistry and Aroma: * High Camphor and 1,8-Cineole Content: This is the most defining characteristic. Unlike the sweet, floral aroma of English lavender (low in camphor), spike lavender has a much stronger, sharper, and distinctly camphoraceous, herbaceous, and almost eucalyptus-like scent. Its essential oil contains significant percentages of 1,8-cineole (also found in eucalyptus) and camphor, which give it an invigorating, pungent quality. * Therapeutic Profile: Due to its chemical composition, spike lavender essential oil is known for its stimulating, decongestant, expectorant, and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. It's often favored for respiratory issues (coughs, colds, sinusitis), muscle aches, sprains, and insect bites, rather than for relaxation or sleep. It's less commonly used in fine perfumery for its calming notes.
2. Growth Habit and Size: * Larger and More Upright: Spike lavender plants tend to grow taller and more openly than English lavender. They can reach heights of 2 to 3 feet or more, with a somewhat lanky or sprawling habit compared to the compact mounds of L. angustifolia. * Branched Flower Stems: Similar to lavandin (its hybrid offspring), spike lavender often produces flower stems that are branched, bearing multiple flower heads off a central stalk. This contributes to a robust and often less uniform appearance than English lavender.
3. Foliage: * Broader Leaves: The name latifolia means "broad-leaved," and indeed, its leaves are generally wider and often a brighter green than the narrow, silvery leaves of English lavender. They may have a somewhat coarser texture.
4. Cold Hardiness: * Moderate Hardiness: Spike lavender is more cold-sensitive than English lavender but generally hardier than Spanish lavender. It's typically hardy in USDA Zones 6-9, meaning it might struggle in very cold Door County WI winters without protection, but will thrive in milder climates.
5. Bloom Time: * Spike lavender generally blooms later in the season than English lavender, often extending the bloom period into mid to late summer.
6. Historical and Commercial Importance: * Key Parent of Lavandin: Lavandula latifolia is one of the parent species of the widely cultivated lavandin hybrids (Lavandula x intermedia). Its vigorous growth and high oil yield contributed to the development of these commercially valuable hybrids. * Traditional Uses: Historically, spike lavender was also known as "Aspic Lavender" (from aspis, Greek for "viper") and was traditionally used for snake bites and other medicinal purposes due to its strong properties.
In summary, if you encounter a lavender with an exceptionally strong, camphoraceous scent, broader green leaves, and a more open, often branched growth habit, it's likely spike lavender. While not as universally grown as English lavender for its calming aroma, its unique therapeutic properties and robust nature make it a valuable species, particularly for those interested in its more invigorating and medicinal applications. When you buy lavender online, especially from specialized sources like islandlavender.com, be sure to note the botanical name to ensure you're getting the specific lavender species that aligns with your needs.