Cat-mint - Nepeta cataria
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Species Description
Widespread but scattered and rare in England (mainly in the South along a line from below Norwich to the Bristol Region), coastal Wales and Central Scotland. It has declined massively and continues to do so. Habitat includes: Well-drained calcareous soils in places such as open grassland, hedge banks, roadside verges, railway banks, old quarries, spoil heaps, wasteland etc. Growing habit: Rhizomatous Perennial. Height: Up to 1 m. Flowers: July to September. Other names include: Catnip, Cat's-wort, Cat-wort.
Stace 4:
Nepeta cataria L. - Cat-mint.
Plant softly densely grey-hairy; stems erect, to 1m; leaves ovate, cordate at base, the lower usually ≥4cm; whorls densely crowded into terminal inflorescences; 2n=34, 36. Archaeophyte-denizen; open grassland, waysides, rough ground on calcareous soils; rather scattered in England, Wales, Isle of Man, once more common, probably extinct in Ireland.
Key:
- Corolla white with small purple spots, the tube shorter than calyx