Definition

1. Noun:
   • A branching aromatic Mediterranean shrub with woolly stems and leaves and yellow flowers: "Lavender cotton" refers to a specific perennial plant, Santolina chamaecyparissus, known for its silvery-gray, finely divided aromatic foliage and small, bright yellow, button-like flowers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The garden's border was edged with fragrant lavender cotton.
  • Lavender cotton is often used in herb gardens for its distinctive scent and texture.

Advanced Usage

• As a common name in horticulture: The term is used primarily in gardening and botanical contexts to identify this particular species, valued for its drought tolerance and ornamental foliage.
  • For a low-maintenance, silver-themed garden, consider planting lavender cotton.

Variants and Related Words

• Santolina (n): The genus name for lavender cotton and related shrubs.
  • Several species of Santolina are popular in landscaping.
• Santolina chamaecyparissus (n): The full botanical (Latin) name for lavender cotton.

Synonyms

• Santolina: The most direct synonym, often used interchangeably in gardening circles.
• Cotton lavender: An alternative common name with the words reversed, referring to the same plant.

Notes

• Not a true lavender: Despite the name, "lavender cotton" is not related to true lavender (). The name likely derives from the aromatic quality of its leaves and the cotton-like appearance of its woolly stems.
• Not related to cotton: The "cotton" in its name refers to the texture of its foliage, not the cotton plant ().

Noun

1. branching aromatic Mediterranean shrub with woolly stems and leaves and yellow flowers