Lavandula multifida L.

Nomenclature and Growth Form

Lavandula multifida, commonly known as fernleaf lavender or Egyptian lavender, is a small plant that sometimes grows as a shrub.

Native Range

It is native to southern Mediterranean regions, including Iberia, Sicily, Northwest Africa, and the Canary Islands.

Maximum Height

This species grows to a maximum height of 24 inches (61 cm).

Stem Characteristics

Its stems are grey and covered in woolly texture.

Leaf Morphology

The leaves are fern-like in appearance, double pinnate, and range in color from silver to green.

Flower Characteristics

Its dark blue or violet flowers can be either single or three-pronged, and grow on long stems that sit above the plant’s foliage.

Cultivation Purposes

L. multifida is cultivated both as an herb and as an ornamental plant.

Foliage Scent

Its foliage is aromatic, but its scent has been observed to be closer to oregano than to other types of lavender.

Cold Tolerance

In cooler latitudes, winter frost kills this plant, but it can be grown as an annual.

Known Cultivar

One known cultivar of this species is 'Spanish Eyes'.