The wild lavender is a species with a strictly Mediterranean distribution, present all along the Tyrrhenian coast of the Italian Peninsula, from Liguria to Calabria, in Sardinia and in Sicily. It grows in the most primitive aspects of the Mediterranean maquis and in garrigues dominated by Cistus, mainly on siliceous substrates (very rarely on limestone), especially in repeatedly burned sites, from the coast (where it is much more common) to about 600 m. The species is sporadic on the edge of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with Mediterranean maquis and garrigue vegetation. Compared to other congeneric species, this is much less used for its aromatic properties, but it is an interesting melliferous plant: the single-flower honey differs sharply from that of the common lavender, having a finer taste and being less aromatic. The species is often cultivated as an ornamental, especially in parks and gardens of the Mediterranean Region. The genus name alludes to the ancient use of L. angustifolia for perfuming freshly washed clothes; the species name derives from the Greek 'stoichas' (in a row): the islands of Hyères in Provence where the species is widespread, due to their geographical position, were formerly called 'Stoichades'. Flowering period: March to May.

Italian name(s): Abiol (Sardegna, Cagliari), Alchimissa (Sardegna, Alghero), Erva di Palermu (Sicilia), Ispigula areste (Sardegna), Keirolet (Liguria, Nizza), Lavanda selvatica (Italia), Lavanda steca (Italia), Levande foreste (Friuli), Piumbone (Corsica), Sempiternu sarvaegu (Liguria, Genova), Solfino salvatico (Toscana), Spica chiomosa (Campania, Napoli), Spicula aresti (Sardegna), Spigu nardu (Liguria, Genova), Spigula aresti (Sardegna), Stachianella (Campania, Terra di Lavoro), Steca (Italia), Steca (Toscana), Stecade (Toscana), Stecade arabica (Toscana), Stecaole (Italia), Steccadò (Liguria, Genova), Steccadoe (Liguria, Genova), Sticados (Toscana), Stigadosso (Italia), Stigadosso (Toscana).