Nepeta racemosa

Nepeta racemosa, the dwarf catnip[1] or raceme catnip, syn. N. mussiniii,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to the Caucasus, Turkey and northern Iran. Growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall by 45 cm (18 in) wide, it is a herbaceous perennial with aromatic leaves and violet or lilac-blue flowers in summer.[3]

Nepeta racemosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Nepeta
Species:
N. racemosa
Binomial name
Nepeta racemosa

This plant is one of several Nepeta species to be cultivated as an ornamental. It is particularly suitable for the front of a flower border or as groundcover. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit,[1][4] as has the cultivar ‘Walker’s Low’[5]

Nepetas are notable for their euphoric effect on some domestic cats. It is thought to be caused by the chemical nepetalactone which also has effects on some insects, repelling cockroaches and mosquitoes.

The Latin specific epithet racemosa means “having racemes of flowers”.[6]

References
  1. "RHS Plant Selector - Nepeta racemosa". Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  2. "Nepeta racemosa". The Plant List. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  3. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  4. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 66. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  5. "Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low'". Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  6. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.


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