Classification (APG IV)
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Lavendula
Species: French lavender -  Lavandula stoechas L.

Botanical Description
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a perennial evergreen shrub belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The plant typically grows 30 to 100 cm tall, but certain subspecies, such as L. stoechas subsp. luisieri, can reach up to 2 meters in height. The stem is woody. The needle-like leaves are arranged oppositely on the plant. The stem is densely foliated. The leaves are grayish, entirely short-haired, aromatic, and 1–4 cm long. [1-3]

Each inflorescence is located at the tip of a slender, leafless, quadrangular stalk measuring 10–30 cm in length. The inflorescence itself is about 2 cm long. The top of the inflorescence is crowned by prominent purple, elongate oval bracts up to 5 cm long, which are sterile. These create an effect resembling floral foam at the tip of the inflorescence. The lower flowers are arranged tightly and spirally on the inflorescence stalk. In cross-section, they form a rectangular outline. The flower has a two-layered, five-parted perianth. The bilabiate corollas range in color from pink to purple. The size and shape of the flowers vary, with each flower supported by a ribbed bract 4–8 mm long. The fruit is a nutlet. [1-3]

Distribution
It occurs naturally in several Mediterranean countries, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, and Greece. In Estonia, it is cultivated as a garden plant. The plant is frost-sensitive, and overwintering is challenging. [1]

Effects and Uses
The flowers are used in aromatherapy for making infusions and essential oils. The essential oil contains ketones (d-camphor and d-fenchone) and alcohols (borneol and terpineol). [3]

References
1. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 30). Lavandula stoechas. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11:07, December 31, 2023, from Wikipedia
2. WFO (2023): Lavandula stoechas subsp. stoechas. Published on the Internet; World Flora Online. Accessed on: 31 Dec 2023
3. Domingues, J., Delgado, F., Gonçalves, J., Zuzarte, M., & Duarte, A. (2023). Mediterranean Lavenders from Section Stoechas: An Undervalued Source of Secondary Metabolites with Pharmacological Potential. Metabolites, 13(3), 337. DOI:10.3390/metabo13030337

Süstemaatiline kuuluvus (APG IV)
Riik: Taimed (Plantae)
Klaad: Soontaimed (Tracheophyta)
Klaad: Katteseemnetaimed (Angiospermae)
Klaad: Päriskaheidulehelised (Eudicotyledonae)
Selts: Iminõgeselaadsed (Laminales)
Sugukond: Huulõielised (Laminaceae)
Perekond: Lavendel (Lavandula)
Liik: Prantsuse lavendel - Lavandula stoechas L.

Botaaniline kirjeldus
Prantsuse lavendel on mitmeaastane huulõieliste sugukonda kuuluv igihaljas põõsas. Taim kasvab tavaliselt 30 kuni 100 cm kõrguseks, kuid teatud alamliikide puhul, nagu L. stoechas subsp. luisieri, võib see kasvada kuni 2 m kõrguseks. Vars puitunud. Okast meenutavad lehed paiknevad taimel vastakuti. Vars on tihedalt lehistunud. Lehed on hallikad - üleni lühikarvased ja aromaatsed, 1-4 cm pikkused. [1-3] 

Iga õisik on peene, lehistumata neljakandilise 10-30 cm õisikvarre tipus. Õisiku pikkus on umbes 2 cm. Õisiku tippu kroonivad silmapaistev lillakad, piklikult ovaalseid, kuni 5 cm pikkuseid, steriilsed kõrglehed. Need moodustavad õisiku tipus justkui lillevahtu meenutava efekti. Alumised õied on asetsevad tihedalt ja spiraalselt õisikuraol. Ristlõikes moodustavad nad ristkülikukujulise kontuuri. Õiekate kaheli, viietine. Kahehuulelised õiekroonid on roosad kuni lillakad. Õie suurus ja kuju varieeruvad, igaüks neist on toetatud 4–8 mm pikkuse, soonelise kandelehega. Vili on pähklike. [1-3] 

Levila
Esineb looduslikult mitmes Vahemere riigis, sealhulgas Prantsusmaal, Hispaanias, Portugalis, Itaalias, Türgis ja Kreekas. Eestis kasvatataks kultuurina. Taim on külmaõrn ja ületalve pidamine on problemaatiline. [1] 

Toime ja kasutamine
Õisi kasutatakse aroomiteraapias infusioonide ja eeterlike õlide valmistamiseks. Eeterlik õli sisaldab ketoone (d-kamper ja d-fenhoon) ning alkohole (borneool ja terpineool). [3] 

Kasutatud allikad
1. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 30). Lavandula stoechas. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11:07, December 31, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lavandula_stoechas&oldid=1192713246
3. WFO (2023): Lavandula stoechas subsp. stoechas . Published on the Internet;http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000224257. Accessed on: 31 Dec 2023
2.  Domingues, J., Delgado, F., Gonçalves, J., Zuzarte, M., & Duarte, A. (2023). Mediterranean Lavenders from Section Stoechas: An Undervalued Source of Secondary Metabolites with Pharmacological Potential. Metabolites, 13(3), 337. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13030337