Contents
What plant category is catnip?
Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of China….
| Catnip | |
|---|---|
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Nepeta |
| Species: | N. cataria |
What does catnip actually do to cats?
Researchers suspect that catnip targets feline “happy” receptors in the brain. When eaten, however, catnip tends to have the opposite effect and your cat mellows out. Most cats react to catnip by rolling, flipping, rubbing, and eventually zoning out. They may meow or growl at the same time.
Is catnip considered a herb?
Catnip is a strong-smelling herb. It is native to Central Europe, though it can now be found in most of Canada and the Northeast United States. It belongs to the mint family and has oval-toothed, dark green leaves and white flowering tops. Catnip has long been thought to have medicinal properties.
What are the different types of catnip plants?
Catnip Varieties 1 True catnip ( Nepeta cataria) 2 Catmint ( Nepeta mussinii) 3 Lemon catnip ( Nepeta cataria citriodora) 4 Greek catnip ( Nepeta cataria parnassica) 5 Six Hills Giant catmint ( Nepeta mussinii faassenii) 6 Camphor catnip ( Nepeta camphorata)
What is catnip and what does it do to cats?
I did a little research and here is what I found: Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb that is a member of the mint family. The chemical compound in the plant that attracts and affects cats is called nepetalactone.
How tall does a camphor catnip plant grow?
True catnip ( Nepeta cataria )– Produces white to purple flowers and grows 3 feet (1 m.) high Greek catnip ( Nepeta parnassica )– Pale pink blooms and 1½ feet (.5 m.) Camphor catnip ( Nepeta camphorata )– White flowers with purple dots, about 1½ feet (.5 m.)
What to do with catnip in your garden?
Plant catnip in containers and place near aphid-infested crops to encourage lacewings to settle in the garden. The plant is also an excellent deterrent if you’re dealing with potato bugs, asparagus pests, or annoying squash insects. Catnip is also a great repellent for Japanese beetles, which may attack a number of plants including beans.