Lavandula × intermedia—A Bastard Lavender or a Plant of Many Values? Part I. Biology and Chemical Composition of Lavandin

Abstract

This review article is the first in a series that provides an overview of the biology, chemistry, biological effects, and applications of Lavandula × intermedia (lavandin, LI). Despite its prevalence in cultivation and on the essential oil market, lavandin has received limited attention from the scientific community. Remarkably more attention is paid to Lavandula angustifolia (LA), which is commonly regarded as the superior lavender and has been extensively researched. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive review of LI, as none currently exists, and assess whether its inferior status is merited. In the first part, we outline the biological and chemical characteristics of the plant and compare it to the parent species. The chemical composition of lavandin oil is similar to that of LA but contains more terpenes, giving camphor notes that are less valued in perfumery. Nevertheless, lavandin has some advantages, including a higher essential oil yield, resulting in reduced production cost, and therefore, it is a preferred lavender crop for cultivation.

Short- and long-term effects of essential oils on swine spermatozoa during liquid phase refrigeration

“…The second group consisted of L. hybrida and C. limon EOs. Lavandula hybrida is also known as Lavandula x intermedia , and is a sterile hybrid of true lavender ( L. angustifolia ) and spike lavender ( L. latifolia ) 31 . Comparative studies between L. x intermedia and L. angustifolia are available: the former possesses similar or stronger antibacterial and antifungal effects than true lavender oil, in particular against Candida spp.…”

Decoupling subgenomes within hybrid lavandin provide new insights into speciation and monoterpenoid diversification of Lavandula

“…Lavandin is recognized as a spontaneous hybrid of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia and occupies an intermediate ecological niche, with many physiological advantages over its parents, yet a complete description of its molecular underpinnings remains elusive (Upson and Andrews, 2004). Nowadays, remarkably more attention is paid to L. angustifolia due to its superior EO, the research about lavandin and L. latifolia are less known (Mathias et al, 2023;Pokajewicz et al, 2023) contiguity and accuracy of genome assembly substantially with a notably enhanced assembly of LTRs (LAI value = 16.53). Unravelling lavandin genome into two subgenomes provides opportunities for resolving important biological trait-related allelic variations among progenitors, for example, the urgent requirement of modern lavandin breeding to produce new selections with higher linalyl acetate and lower camphor contents.…”

“…Nowadays, remarkably more attention is paid to L. angustifolia due to its superior EO, the research about lavandin and L. latifolia are less known (Mathias et al. , 2023; Pokajewicz et al ., 2023). Our study firstly decoded the fully phased genome of the world‐renowned lavandin cultivar ‘Super’ with outstanding EO characteristics.…”

“…Despite its prevalence in cultivation and on the EO market, the lavandin has received limited attention from the scientific community. One important constraint is the camphorous smell of lavandin EO (Aprotosoaie et al ., 2017; Pokajewicz et al ., 2023; Salehi et al ., 2018). As it has inborn nature of high yield potential and great robustness, current lavandin breeding programs mainly lay emphasis on EO quality improvement.…”

Lavandula x intermedia—A Bastard Lavender or a Plant of Many Values? Part II. Biological Activities and Applications of Lavandin

“…Part I. Biology and Chemical Composition of Lavandin” [ 1 ]. Part I covered the biological and chemical characteristics of L. x intermedia , including taxonomy, geographical range, morphological features, popular cultivars, cultivation, and essential oil production.…”