LAVENDER-COTTON, in botany: A genus of the order of polygamiæ æqualis, belonging to the syngenesia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 49th order, Compositæ. The receptacle is paleaceous; there is no pappus; the calyx imbricated and hemispherical.

The most remarkable species are, 1. The chamæcyparisus, or common lavender-cotton, which has been long known in the English gardens; it was formerly titled abrotanum fæmina, or female southernwood, and by the corruption of words was called botany by the market-people: it grows naturally in Spain, Italy, and the warm parts of Europe. This hath a ligneous stalk, dividing into many branches, garnished with slender hoary leaves, that are four ways indented, and have a rank, strong, odour when handled. The branches are terminated by a single flower, composed of many hermaphrodite florets, which are filiform, cut into five parts at the top, of a sulphur colour, and are included in one common fealy empalement, having no borders or rays. These are succeeded by small, oblong, striated seeds, which are separated by fealy chaff, and ripen in the empalement; the plants love a dry soil and a sheltered situation. 2. The wilosa, with woolly leaves, has a shrubby stalk, which branches out like the former, but the plants seldom grow so tall. The branches are garnished very closely below with leaves shaped like those of the other sort, but shorter, thicker, and whiter; the flowers are much larger, and the brims of the florets are more reflexed; they are of a deeper sulphur colour than the other. It grows naturally in Spain. 3. The decumbens, with linear leaves, is of lower stature than either of the former, seldom rising more than 15 or 16 inches high. The branches spread horizontally near the ground, and are garnished with shorter leaves than either of the former, which are hoary and finely indented; the stalks are terminated by single flowers, of a bright yellow colour, which are larger than those of the first sort. 4. The viridis, with very long linear leaves, rises higher than either of the former. The branches are more diffused; they are slender, smooth, and garnished with very narrow long leaves, which are of a deep green colour, but two ways indented; the stalks are slender, naked towards the top, and terminated by single flowers of a gold colour. 5. The rosmarinifolia, with linear entire leaves, hath shrubby stalks, which rise about three feet high, sending out long slender branches, garnished with single linear leaves of a pale-green colour. The stalks are terminated by large, single, globular flowers, of a pale sulphur colour. 6. The minor, with linear obtuse leaves, is somewhat like the fifth; but the branches are shorter, thicker, and closer garnished with leaves, which come out in clusters. The flower-stalks are sparingly disposed, and have leaves to their top; the flowers are small, and of a yellow colour. 7. The chamælifolia, with obtuse woolly leaves, hath shrubby stalks, which rise three feet high, garnished with broader leaves than either of the former, whose indentures are looser, but double; they are hoary, and when bruised have an odour like chamomile. The leaves are placed pretty far asunder, and the stalks are garnished with them to the top. The stalks are divided likewise at the top into two or three foot-stalks, each sustaining one pretty large sulphur-coloured flower.

All these plants may be cultivated so as to become ornaments to a garden, particularly in small borders of ever-green shrubs, where, if they are artfully intermixed with other plants of the same growth, and placed in the front line, they will make an agreeable variety; especially if care be taken to trim them twice in a summer, to keep them within bounds, otherwise their branches are apt to straggle, and in wet weather to be borne down and displaced, which renders them unsightly; but when they are kept in order, their hoary and different-coloured leaves will have a pretty effect in such plantations.—They may be propagated by planting slips or cuttings during the spring, in a border SAP

Santorini border of light fresh earth, but must be watered and shaded in hot dry weather, until they have taken root; after which they will require no farther care but to keep them clean from weeds till autumn, when they should be transplanted where they are destined to remain; but if the ground is not ready by that time to receive them, it will be proper to let them remain in the border until spring; for if they are transplanted late in autumn, they are liable to be destroyed by cold in winter.