Lavender

A bunch of lavender.

Lavender is a flower noted for its "beautiful colour" and "calming fragrance." It can be used as an ingredient in a variety of potions.

Lavender is a type of plant found on almost all continents. It has a purplish colouring and it has a colour named after it, called lavender as well.

Etymology

• Its Latin and scientific name is Lavandula.

Behind the scenes

• Lavenders are also used in cake decorating, because the flowers can become candied. Sometimes they are used in flavoring baked goods and chocolate desserts, and sometimes they use it to make a very delicious "lavender sugar". Lavender flowers are also used to make tea. The French make lavender syrup, which is used to make lavender scones and lavender marshmallows.
• Lavenders are sometimes put in medicine, too, and sometimes to prevent infection - such as lavender oil, that was used in World War 1 to disinfect walls and floors of the hospital. As the folk wisdom says, lavender oil is also helpful to headaches when rubbed on your temple, and lavender tea helps you relax before bed time. Lavender also is very helpful when applied to insect bites.

Appearances

• Pottermore