ABSTRACT
In the introduction to the Natural History of the Lavenders published in 1826 the author, Baron Gingins de la Sarraz, wrote ‘continuing progress in the understanding of natural history would seem to require also a constant revision of families and genera most familiar to us’. While much progress has been made in our understanding of the genus Lavandula his sentiments are still true today. The genus is currently subject to ongoing research into its taxonomy and systematics being undertaken by the author and colleagues at the University of Cambridge, University of Reading and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This treatment thus represents a provisional rather than a definitive account on the taxonomy of the genus. While some aspects of the research is nearing completion there are still some problematic areas where existing treatments may not be adequate and our understanding of the taxonomy is incomplete and these are indicated and discussed where appropriate.
