Filière des huiles essentielles françaises de lavande et lavandin

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An essential sector

Lavender and Lavandin

For decades, lavender and lavandin have been emblematic and traditional Provencal productions. First harvested at the beginning of 20th century, and later cultivated, these lavenders offer a multitude of benefits.

Before developing the history of the production, the sector’s structure and the sector’s responsible approach, here is a brief reminder of the differences between lavender and lavandin and the principles of distillation, which make it possible to obtain essential oil.

: Lavender fields - (Photos : Jean-François Lepage/FranceAgriMer)

: Lavandin fields - (Photos : Jean-François Lepage/FranceAgriMer)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.)

Common name:

Popular lavender: obtained from seed, each plant is genetically different.
Selected or clonal lavender: from cuttings taken on the same original plant. The lavender may be selected in order to improve its vigour, its yield of essential oil. The same individual plant chosen for its qualities is identically reproduced.

Some varieties of popular lavender: Rapido, Carla

Some varieties of clonal lavender : Maillette and Matheronne

Characteristics: The colour of the plants varies from a blue-white to a deep blue. Each plant is genetically different from its neighbour. Fine lavender grows naturally in dry Mediterranean mountain areas. It is cultivated between 600 m and 1 400 m. It can be picked.

Products: 70 tonnes of essential oil per year, flowers and bouquets.

Yield: 1 hectare of lavender produces approximately 15 kg of essential oil for a popular lavender and around 40 kg for clonal lavender.

Uses: fine perfumery, pharmacy, cosmetics and aromatherapy.

Official sign of quality: AOP essential oil of lavender of Haute-Provence (guarantee of origin and quality.

Lavandin (Lavandula angustifolia Mill. X Lavandula latifolia Medikus.)

Common name: Lavandin.

Varieties: grosso, sumian, abrial and super.

Characteristics: In a field of lavandin, each plant is identical to its neighbour because it has been multiplied by cutting, which gives an impression of regular blue waves when it is in bloom. Lavandin is particular vigorous natural hybrid, a cross (pollinized by bees) between fine lavender and spike lavender. Lavandin is grown between 200 m and 700 m and up to 1 000 m.

Products: Approximately 1 000 tonnes of essential oil per year, flowers and bouquets.

Yield 1 hectare of lavandin produces around 100 kg of essential oil.

Uses : soaps, washing powders, perfumes and home fragrances.

Distillation

The essential oil is obtained through distillation of the plant (lavender or lavandin) by steam extraction in a still. The essential oil is a completely natural product made up of the many different aromatic molecules of the plant.