Lavandula

(la-van'du-lah.) (Bot.) A gen. of plants, 0. Lamiacea. The common Lavender, L. vera, is a native of the south of Europe, but is cultivated in this country for the sake of its agreeable perfume, and for the oil on which this property depends.It is an under shrub two to three feet high, with ascending striated branches; linear hoary leaves, which in the young state are rolled under at the edges; and grayish-blue flowers which are borne in compact spikes. The flowers and leaves of this plant are stated to have been used by the ancients to perfume their baths, whence perhaps the name, from lava re, to wash. They are still used by housewives to perfume their stores of linen, and prevent the acce of moths. The e ential oil of Lavender is procured by distillation from the flowers, and is much prized for its agreeable odor; when di olved in spirits of wine, and mixed with other perfumes, it forms the much appreciated Lavender Water. [s. 531]