Lavender fields, Oxfordshire, England

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Info. A lavender field in Oxfordshire, England

Lavender is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the mint family. There are more than 30 species of lavender native to countries bordering the Mediterranean. Most lavender plants are blue or purple, but there are some varieties that come in yellow and pink. The fragrant plant looks beautiful in the garden, but it is also used in essential oils, perfumes, medicine and as a culinary herb. The name lavender originates from the Latin verb “lavare”, which means “to wash”. The Ancient Egyptians are believed to have used lavender in the mummification process, while the Romans used it to scent their baths, beds, clothes and even hair.