The origin of lavender remains uncertain: some say it comes from Persia, while others consider it originates from the Canary Islands. It was introduced in the south of France from Antiquity, just like vines and olive trees. The different varieties of lavender (fine, aspic, lavandin) can be found in neighboring fields, although fine and aspic lavenders flourish best above 1,968 ft (600 meters) of altitude. All are grown today in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and notably on the Valensole plateau where lavender was mainly wild until the 1950s. Today, it has become such a profitable crop that local economic stakeholders call it the blue gold of Provence.