13th Conference on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Southeast European Countries (CMAPSEEC 2026)

Background: Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel, commonly known as lavandin, is a widely cultivated medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae. It is a hybrid of common lavender (L. angustifolia) and spike lavender (L. latifolia). The island of Hvar (Croatia) is known for cultivating two lavandin landraces, ˈBilaˈ and ˈBudrovkaˈ, and for producing their essential oils. Despite their economic importance, there is limited information on the genetic variability and relationships among lavandin landraces.
Materials and Methods: The study included L. × intermedia landraces ˈBilaˈ,ˈBudrovkaˈ, and ˈBudrovka-Sveti Nikolaˈ from the island of Hvar, the parental species of the hybrid (L. angustifolia and L. latifolia), and two lavandin cultivars, ˈGrossoˈ and ˈAbrialisˈ. Microsatellite markers and multilocus genotype profiling were used to assess genetic diversity and to clarify the identity and genetic relationships of the lavandin landraces.
Results: The parental species (L. angustifolia and L. latifolia) and the cultivars ˈGrossoˈ and ˈAbrialisˈ exhibited unique multilocus genotypes. ˈBilaˈ and ˈBudrovka-Sveti Nikolaˈ shared an identical genotype, indicating a common clonal origin, while ˈBudrovkaˈ showed intra-cultivar variation, with three closely related genotypes likely derived from somatic mutations. Overall, L. × intermedia displayed clear genetic structuring, forming distinct landrace groups and showing genetic relationships consistent with its hybrid origin.
Conclusions: These findings indicate limited but structured diversity shaped by clonal propagation and local selection. The observed differentiation among landraces and cultivars, particularly between ˈBudrovkaˈ and ˈBilaˈ genotypes, highlights the presence of distinct genetic lineages that represent valuable genetic resources for conservation and future breeding efforts.