Nepeta cataria, Nepeta glechoma.

Nepeta cataria Linn. Labiatae. Catnip.

Europe, Orient and the Himalayas. Catnip holds a place as a condiment. In 1726, Townsend says it is used by some in England to give a high relish in sauces. It is mentioned among the plants of Virginia by Gronovius, as collected by Clayton preceding 1739.

Nepeta glechoma Benth. Alehoof. Ground Ivy. Nepeta.

Europe and naturalized in northeastern North America. The leaves are in great repute among the poor in England as a tea and in ancient times were used for flavoring ale.


Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World, 1919, was edited by U. P. Hedrick.