Re: Lavandula multifida vs. L. pinnata

John,
Thanks for taking the time to help me sort this out. 
I think I can now retain this info easily by
remembering L. multifida as: hardier, spiral rows of
flowers.  This does seem to be the most commonly sold
form here in the SF Bay Area.  I have never understood
why it isn't more commonly used, as it blooms almost
year round, giving massive amounts of deep blue color,
and is easily kept looking good with minimal water and
only needing replacement after 3~4 years.  Perhaps the
lack of typical lavender fragrance and not taking much
frost is the reason, but it is so fast growing and
colorful, it also makes a great annual where not
hardy.

Thank you for all the referenced web pages, and hope
your Plectranthus research/book is still on track to
be published!  Maybe then equally floriferous species
such as P. zuluensis and P. neochilus will also become
more popular.  (Can you tell that I am a sucker for
easy to grow everblooming plants that will bloom as
well in both sun and shade?)

--- John MacGregor <jonivy@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Not surprising that you are confused.  You are not
> the only one.  The
> nursery industry in California doesn't have a clue
> on this one.

> Here are some authentic examples of L. multifida:
> 
>
http://aoki2.si.gunma-u.ac.jp/BotanicalGarden/PICTs/lace-lavender.jpeg
> 
>
http://www.dipbot.unict.it/fito_new/territori/foto/lavandula_multifida.jpg
> 
>
http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/aart/flora/Labiatae/Lavandula/L.multifida/1.f
> lower.jpeg
> 
>
http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/aart/flora/Labiatae/Lavandula/Lavandula.html
> The main distinguishing characters between Lavandula
> multifida are:
> 
> The foliage of L. multifida is gray-green with
> sparse hairs and mostly
> bipinnate.  That of L. pinnata is heavily
> gray-felted and only pinnate; the
> segments are broader and their tips may be bifid or
> even trifidly lobed, but
> they are very seldom branched below the tip.
> 
> The flowers of L. multifida are arranged in rows
> that spiral around the
> branched spikes.  Those of L. pinnata are arranged
> more-or-less uniformly
> around the spikes and do not form clear rows that
> spiral upward.
> 
> There are photographs of leaves and spikes of L.
> buchii, L. buchii var.
> gracile, and L. multifida on page 64 of Virginia
> McNaughton's  book,
> Lavender, the Grower's Guide (Timber Press, 2000). 
> Unfortunately, she does
> not show L. pinnata.
> 
> John C. MacGregor, List Owner
> Lavandula@yahoogroups.com
> South Pasadena, CA 91030  USA
> USDA zone 9  Sunset zones 21/23
> jonivy@earthlink.net
> 


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