Italian Lavender
Common name
Italian Lavender
Scientific Name
Lavandula stoechas
Type of plant
Uncategorised
About this weed
Lavender plants were originally from the Mediterranean Region and were introduced as a hardy garden plant with aromatic qualities. In recent years it has been heavily promoted as a hardy garden plant requiring little watering over Perth’s long summer months. Unfortunately, this popular plant produces a prolific amount of seed that spreads readily to urban bushland.
Description
An aromatic shrub growing 0.3-1 m high with purple flowers and grey folliage. Dense purple flower heads are produced in winter and spring. Seeding is prolific on larger plants and spreads to urban bushland by various means including wind, garden refuse, water and birds. Plants will resprout following cooler fires. Prolific seed germination can also follow fire and crowns may resprout.
Impact on Bushland
Lavender is capable of directly smothering native flora and suppressing regeneration. Hot bush fires may kill adult plants and destroy some soil stored seed.
Location
Found in various parts of the South-West Province from Perth to Manjimup usually in the higher rainfall areas. In Perth it is growing on the Darling Scarp near Kalamunda. It can be found on creeklines, roadsides, wastelands and drainage lines.
Priority for removal
High: a major threat to conservation values anywhere it has taken hold.
Management (hand)
Hand pull or dig out small plants ensuring you remove all root material.
Management (herbicide)
Cut and paint with 50% Glyphosate. Spray regrowth in spring. Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimal months for spraying are September, October and November, but can also be occasionally sprayed in August and December.
Flowering month/s
July, August, September, October, November, December
Flower colour/s
Purple, White
Information source
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/6879
Additional information
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.
