Lavender belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is a semi-shrub or dwarf shrub, with branching and covered with stellate hairs.

Its leaves are linear or lanceolate, larger on the flowering branches, sparse, and smaller on the younger branches, clustered, with a gradually narrowed base forming very short petioles, entire margins, rolled under, with a raised midrib underneath, and inconspicuous lateral and reticulate veins.

Its flowers are in umbels, numerous, clustered at the top of the branches into intermittent or nearly continuous spike-like inflorescences. The bracts are rhomboid-ovate, gradually pointed into a diamond shape at the apex, with inconspicuous bracteoles. The flowers have short pedicels, blue in color, densely covered with gray, branching, or unbranching hairs.

The calyx is ovate-tubular or nearly tubular, about twice as long as the calyx, with the corolla bilabiate, the upper lip straight, the lobes relatively large, circular, slightly overlapping, and the lower lip spreading. The stamens are flat and hairless, and the anthers are hairy. The style is hairy, flattened at the apex, and ovate.

The lobes are opposite to the ovary lobes. The nutlets are elliptical, smooth, and glossy, and it blooms in June. The whole plant has a slightly woody, sweet scent.

Originally native to the Mediterranean coast, various parts of Europe, and islands in the Pacific, it has been widely cultivated in the UK and Yugoslavia. Its elegant leaf shape and beautiful flower color, with slender and graceful blue-purple inflorescences, make it a new perennial cold-resistant flower suitable for mass planting or strip planting in courtyards, as well as for potted ornamental purposes.

The flower language of lavender is waiting for love. Just by breathing deeply, one can see miracles, romance, and hearts aligning. In Europe, it has always been associated with love, symbolizing the waiting for and romantic nature of love. Moreover, it also symbolizes enduring hardships and growing old together with children, representing the idea that as long as two people love each other, they can overcome any difficulty and walk through life together.

In Europe, it has always been associated with love, inspiring numerous literary works and romantic television productions.

Symbolism:

1. Waiting for love: Unlike roses which are flashy and eye-catching, lavender represents a very subtle love, symbolizing the anticipation of love's arrival.

2. Romantic love: Lavender flowers are usually purple or blue-purple, a color that exudes romance, thus representing romantic love. The annual ritual of couples admiring lavender blooms also signifies romantic love.

3. Enduring hardships and growing old together with children: It also signifies that two people in love can overcome any difficulty together and ultimately grow old together hand in hand.

Lavender is widely used in daily life. In addition to being used as a fragrance additive in various personal care products, lavender also has significant uses in aromatherapy and medicinal fields.

1. Stress relief: Lavender essential oil, with its fresh, sweet, and long-lasting floral fragrance, can help alleviate symptoms for people experiencing depression or intense mood swings.

2. Insect repellent/Prevention of insect bites: Lavender has insect repellent and insecticidal effects, which can be used to protect cotton and linen clothes from damage by pests. Applying lavender essential oil to the skin can also prevent insect bites. After being bitten by mosquitoes, applying lavender essential oil to the affected area can alleviate pain and prevent infection.

3. Treatment of colds and coughs: Lavender has disinfectant and antibacterial effects, so its essential oil is very suitable for treating colds, coughs, rhinitis, sinusitis, and influenza. The most effective treatment method is steam inhalation.

Although lavender has minimal or almost no side effects, attention should still be paid to its usage and dosage to avoid adverse effects.