What is the difference between purpletop vervain and lavender, and which one smells better?

In the flower-filled world of blossoms, we often encounter some puzzling phenomena, one of which is that certain flowers look extremely similar once they bloom, especially the two herbaceous plants purpletop vervain and lavender, which are often mistaken for the same kind of flower.

So how do you quickly tell them apart in daily life by the details? Let's explore this in depth together.

Although purpletop vervain and lavender look similar in appearance, they actually belong to two different families and genera. Purpletop vervain is a perennial upright herbaceous plant with a tall stature, reaching a plant height of 1.5 m.

Lavender, on the other hand, is a low-growing shrub, generally 30-80 cm in height, and compared with purpletop vervain it is much shorter.

If you place the two flowers side by side, their flowers and leaves are both different. The flower shape of purpletop vervain is umbel-like, with the small flowers growing from the top of the flower stem, and the flower colors include purplish red or light purple. In contrast, the flower shape of lavender is like a whorled umbel, with the flowers growing gathered densely together, and the flower colors include pink, blue and purple. In terms of leaves, the leaves of purpletop vervain change according to different stages: oval when young, gradually becoming willow-leaf shaped as it grows, so the form varies. Compared with lavender leaves, it does not change; the leaves are linear, small, and tend to curl outward.

Then, you can also start with the fragrance to tell them apart quickly. If you lean in and sniff, the floral scent of purpletop vervain is very faint, almost imperceptible, whereas compared with it lavender's scent is very strong, especially narrow-leaved lavender, because it basically has oil glands all over, and when touched the oil glands break and the fragrance pours out. As long as you grow it at home, you can smell the lavender fragrance as soon as you open the door.

Finally, you can also tell them apart by their place of origin. Purpletop vervain is native to Europe, and is now cultivated in various parts of our country, mostly growing on roadside slopes at higher altitudes or beside streams. Lavender, however, is native to France, Italy and other places, and in our country it mainly grows in the Xinjiang region.