Nepeta is a genus of in the family Lamiaceae. The genus name, from Latin (“catnip”), is reportedly in reference to Nepi, an ancient Etruscan cities.[ Missouri Botanical Garden: Nepeta × faassenii. Accessed January 10, 2013] There are 295 accepted species.[
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The genus is native plant to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and has also naturalized in North America.
Some members of this group are known as catnip or catmint because of their effect on – the nepetalactone contained in some Nepeta species binds to the olfactory receptors of cats, typically resulting in temporary euphoria.
Description
Most of the species are herbaceous , but some are annual plant. They have sturdy stems with opposite heart-shaped, green to gray-green leaves.
The tubular can be lavender, blue, white, pink, or lilac, and spotted with tiny lavender-purple dots. The flowers are located in verticillasters grouped on spikes; or the verticillasters are arranged in opposite inflorescence, , or – toward the tip of the stems.
The calyx is tubular or campanulate, they are slightly curved or straight, and the limbs are often 2-lipped with five teeth. The lower lip is larger, with 3-lobes, and the middle lobe is the largest. The flowers have 4 hairless that are nearly parallel, and they ascend under the upper lip of the corolla. Two stamen are longer and stamens of gynoecium flowers are rudimentary. The style protrudes outside of the mouth of the flowers.
The fruits are nutlets, which are oblong-ovoid, ellipsoid, ovoid, or obovoid in shape. The surfaces of the nutlets can be slightly ribbed, smooth or warty.
Species
295 species are accepted.[
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==Gallery==
Uses
Cultivation
Some Nepeta species are cultivated as . They can be drought tolerant – water conserving, often deer repellent, with long bloom periods from late spring to autumn. Some species also have repellent properties to insect pests, including and squash bugs, when planted in a garden.
Nepeta species are used as food plants by the of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species including Coleophora, and as nectar sources for , such as and .
- Selected ornamental species
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Nepeta cataria (catnip, catswort) – the "true catnip", cultivated as an ornamental plant, has become an invasive species in some habitats.
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Nepeta grandiflora (giant catmint, Caucasus catmint) – lusher than true catnip and has dark green leaves and dark blue flowers.
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Nepeta × faassenii (garden catmint) – a hybrid of garden source with gray-green foliage and lavender flowers. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
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Nepeta racemosa (raceme catnip) – commonly used in landscaping.
Further reading
External links
