Medicinal and aromatic plants – industrial profiles

L. multifida L.
(Figure 2.11)
Perennial with woody base to 40 cm. Leaves 3–6 cm, deeply dissected pinnatisect to bipinnati-
sect. Stems with diagnostic short branched hairs and long white simple hairs (sometimes only
present near base). Inflorescence stalk usually branched at the base, flower spike 5–8 cm,
twisted. Bract elliptic with sharply acute apex, typically with three dark nerves, 
 
to equal
length of calyx. Upper middle lobe of calyx distinctly deltoid in shape. Corolla bicoloured, the
lower lobes violet fading to blue-violet on the upper lobes with darker guidelines. Native to
South Spain, Italy (Southern tip only), North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya) often
associated with open disturbed areas and areas of habitation. Occasionally cultivated as an 
ornamental, usually treated as an annual.
8.