How to Identify Lavender Plants
Lavender, also known as Lavandula (genus), is a type of evergreen shrub that is known for its sweetly scented flowers. Its purple-colored flowers are used in home fragrances such as potpourri, and also in perfumes and soaps. Lavender tends to thrive in climates that are not too humid, although some varieties can be grown in all U.S. hardiness zones. Lavender can be identified by examining the flowers, the shape of the leaves, and, of course, the scent. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Smell the flowers of the lavender plant if it is in bloom to see if its odor is familiar. It will be sweet smelling and slightly powerful. Compare the scent of the flowers to a commercially manufactured product containing lavender scent, such as a bar of soap, to determine whether the scents match.
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Look at the shape and color of the flowers. Lavender flowers grow on long, skinny stems and have tightly packed clusters of small purple flowers at the top. Depending on the variety, the flowers may look bell-shaped, such as in Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender), or like feathery wisps attached to pine-cone-like flower heads (called "bracts"), as in Lavandula stoechas (French lavender). The flower stalks will be taller than the rest of the foliage on the plant, which is over 4 feet high in some species. It may help to have in front of you a full-color, high-resolution image of the flowers. A good garden book covering shrubs and flowering trees may include these images, or you can do an image search on the Internet to study the different varieties.
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Examine the shape of the lavender shrub. It should be naturally shaped like a mound with foliage growing close to the ground. Depending on the species, the shrub may be up to 4 feet wide, according to "The Southern Living Garden Book." Heights are typically equal to widths.
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Look at the leaves of the lavender shrub. They will be bluish-green or slightly gray in color. The exact shape of the leaves will vary depending on the variety of the plant, however, leaves will be delicate and finger-like and look slightly furry. They may resemble the short needles of a spruce tree. If you were to look at a macro (up-close) image of lavender leaves, they might look like the blades of an ornamental grass such as mondo.
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Tips & Warnings
Unless you are absolutely certain that your plant is lavender, do not use it in cooking, as it may be a toxic plant. Take a cutting to your local Cooperative Extension office for help identifying the plant before you consume any part of it.
