Lavender

Lavender
Species information
Endemic to	Highlands, Scotland
Sentience	Non-sentient
Stem	Green
Leaves	Green
Flowers	Small, purple blossoms
Distinction(s)	Pleasant smell
Usage	Sleeping Draught Fire-Breathing Potion Calming Draught Potion for Dreamless Sleep Insect repellent
Status	Extant

"Finally, Lavender not only smells lovely, but has a variety of practical uses, including as an insect repellent."

— Pomona Sprout regarding lavender

Lavender is a flower noted for its "beautiful colour" and "calming fragrance". It could be used as an ingredient in a variety of potions. It also had a variety of practical uses, including as an insect repellent.

History

Lavender could be found dotted around the Highlands of Scotland during the late 19th century.

Lavender was used in potion-making. Four sprigs of lavender were used in the making of Sleeping Draught, and it was also used in the Fire-Breathing Potion Calming Draught, and Potion for Dreamless Sleep. Xeep's Luscious Locks Solution was also said to possess a soothing lavender smell.

Pieces of sage (left), dittany (middle) and lavender (right)

During the 1989–1990 school year at Hogwarts, Jacob's sibling approached Professor Sprout in the Herbology Classroom asking for herbs that could be given to the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest in order to gain entry to the Centaur Camp, she presented them with sage, lavender and dittany, explaining the uses of each plant to them and allowed them to take which one they pleased.

Etymology

• The name of the plant derives from Latin, and its 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 flavouring 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 (First appearance)
• Fantastic Beasts: Cases from the Wizarding World
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Hogwarts Legacy