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. Gardeners who grow this as a treat for their felines often report that it is nearly impossible to remove.
Plants: Up to 3′ (1 m) high, with square-shaped stems.
Leaves: Triangular to oval in shape, up to 4 ⨉ 2″ (10 ⨉ 6 cm). Leaf edges have rounded serrations. They are green and slightly hairy above, and grayish from fine hairs below.
Flowers: 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.
Fruits: Small reddish-brown egg-shaped nutlets.
Habitats: Full sun to mostly shade, dry or moist conditions, primarily in disturbed soils.
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:
7/19/2017 · West Virginia · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) 
7/19/2017 · West Virginia · ≈ 4½ × 3½″ (12 × 9.5 cm) 
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 · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.4 × 12 cm) 
7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm) 
7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Lamiales | Aromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary |
| Family | Lamiaceae | Mint family |
| Genus | Nepeta | The ancient Latin name of the aromatic plant catnip |
| Species | cataria | Pertaining to cats |
Nepeta cataria description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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