Family: Lamiaceae
catnip
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Nepeta: the ancient Latin name of the aromatic plant catnip, thought to be derived from Nepeta, an ancient Etruscan city
Plants: erect, perennial, 18"-40" tall, very aromatic forb; stems square, branched toward the top; taprooted
Leaves: opposite, coarsely toothed, covered with whitish fuzz, triangular, stalk half as long as the blade
Flowers: cream with pink or purple dots, 5-parted, 1/3" -2/3" long;
inflorescence rather loose, many-flowered, up to 2 1/2" whorls mostly terminal and/or separated on the stem; blooms July-Aug.
Fruits: 1-seeded nutlet
Habitat: dry; disturbed sites, woods
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
Plants: erect, perennial, 18"-40" tall, very aromatic forb; stems square, branched toward the top; taprooted
Leaves: opposite, coarsely toothed, covered with whitish fuzz, triangular, stalk half as long as the blade
Flowers: cream with pink or purple dots, 5-parted, 1/3" -2/3" long;
inflorescence rather loose, many-flowered, up to 2 1/2" whorls mostly terminal and/or separated on the stem; blooms July-Aug.Fruits: 1-seeded nutlet
Habitat: dry; disturbed sites, woods
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
A strongly aromatic plant, and like the often co-occurring Leonurus cardiaca, thoroughly naturalized in fields, roadsides, railroad corridors, gardens, farmyards, gravel pits, quarries, urban areas, dumps, and other disturbed waste ground. Also invading natural habitats such as lakeshores, pond margins, riverbanks, talus slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, Lake Michigan sand dunes, dry to mesic prairies, lowland forests, mesic hardwood stands, and sometimes under pines and white cedar.
This plant is famous for the euphoric effect it has on both wild and domestic cats. First collected in 1879.
This plant is famous for the euphoric effect it has on both wild and domestic cats. First collected in 1879.
Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = FAC- USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Purple Sage - Ethnobotanical Information: Detailed usage, preparation, and other helpful information Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Merel R. Black
Christopher Noll
Merel R. Black
Botanical Illustration
Aaron_Carlson
Michael Clayton
Aaron_Carlson
Botanical Illustration
