Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender or Topped Lavender)

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Spanish or Topped Lavender is well established on Mt Stromolo. A few plants are appearing elsewhere, particualrly on the urban fringe, and now is tthe time to act, when eradication within a reserve is feasible. Topped Lavender forms dense stands that exclude all other ground plants and smaller shrubs, while severely impeding overstorey regeneration. The tell-tale aromatic lavender smell of crushed leaves is its most distinguishing feature.

Other identifying features are that the stems are 4-sided, densely hairy when young, becoming woody with age. Leaves are grey-green and opposite along the stem, 1-3cm long to 5mm wide with margins curved under. Flowers appear in Spring and Summer 5-8mm long, deep purple, in tubular and dense clusters in cylinderical or squarrish heads at the top of stems. These heads brown off and persist over Autumn.

Plants are usually easy to hand-pull, so report your finding on Canberra Nature Map and if numbers are small please pull them out. If to big to pull let us know and we will go out and treat by cutting and dabbing with chemical.

Lavandula stoechas is listed in the following regions:

Canberra & Southern Tablelands | Albury, Wodonga | Hume