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Nepeta cataria L. Catnip
Catnip is a North American native. Nepeta is a genus containing about 250 species, all of which are recreational drugs. If you're a cat, that is. A substance called nepetalactone produces a pleasurable and harmless "high" which effects about 50-80% of all cats (lions and tigers too!). Catnip is a member of the mint family, and is sometimes called catmint. Identification: Plants are up to 3′ (1 m) high, with square-shaped stems. Leaves are triangular to oval in shape, up to 4″ (10 cm) × 2″ (6 cm). Leaf edges have rounded serrations. They are green and slightly hairy above, and grayish from fine hairs below. Flowers are whorled spikes ½-3½″ (1.3-8.9 cm) long, directly attached to the stem, white-to-pink, spotted with purple. Individual flowers are about ¼″ (7 mm) tall, with a top lip and three bottom lobes. The fruits are small reddish-brown egg-shaped nutlets. Medical: Catnip contains a mild sedative that was used by early Europeans to treat convulsions, coughs, sleeplessness, and anxiety, in the form of a tea. It is also sometimes used as a cold and flu remedy. Online References:
Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network
7/19/2017 · West Virginia · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
7/19/2017 · West Virginia · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)
Nepeta cataria description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Oct 2021.
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5/25/2009 · Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)
7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)
7/19/2017 · West Virginia · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)
7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm)
7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts Range:
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