The Iberian Lampwick (Phlomis lychnitis), also known simply as the lampwick plant, is a species of flowering shrub native to the Western Mediterranean region. Its common name derives from the historical use of its fibrous or woolly leaves and stems as wicks for oil lamps.
Key Facts
Botanical Name: Phlomis lychnitis.
Family: It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae (or Labiatae).
Native Range: The plant is native to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and southern France.
Appearance: It is a compact, upright, deciduous subshrub that grows up to 0.5 to 0.6 meters (around 1.5 to 2 feet) in height. It is characterized by narrow, linear, woolly, grey-green leaves.
Flowers: It produces distinct tiered whorls of hooded, deep yellow flowers along its stems in late spring and early summer.
Habitat: It thrives in dry, rocky places, garrigue, and open woods, primarily on calcareous or chalky soils. It requires full sun exposure and excellent drainage.
Drought Tolerant: Once established, the plant is notably drought-tolerant, making it suitable for Mediterranean and xeriscaping gardens.
Historical Use: The plant's soft, fire-resistant, woolly leaves or stems were historically gathered and used as wicks for oil lamps, giving it its common name.
Edibility/Medicinal: While not widely used, the plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as an edible condiment. There are no known hazards associated with it.
