EX SITU MORPHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF WILD LAVANDULA POPULATIONS IN PORTUGAL

The genus Lavandula L. (Lamiaceae family) belongs to the subfamily Nepetoideae. The tribe Lavanduleae (Endl.) Boiss contain just the single genus Lavandula. The Lavandula species occur in Portugal, either spontaneously or grown for their ornamental and aromatic value. These species are also used in traditional medicine in the form of infusions, for internal and external uses. The wild populations of this genus are represented by five species and several subspecies in the Portuguese flora. This genus has revealed a complex taxonomy with some taxa known under different scientific names, although under the same common name. In Portugal has been significant research on these species, with significant results, in ethnobotany, essential oils, biological activities and in vitro research. The present assessment aimed to present the Banco Português de Germoplasma Vegetal contribution to the ex situ conservation of Lavandula species genetic resources: ex situ evaluation of Lavandula stoechas and L. pedunculata wild genetic resources, the need to plan new collecting missions and, the prospects for the use of genetic variability preserved in this collection. The main results of the morphological assessment showed that L. stoechas presents greater morphological diversity.