

How to identify Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip, also known as Catwort
Catnip is characterized by a square stem typical of its family, with a height reaching 2-3 feet (60-90 cm). This herbaceous perennial displays heart-shaped, coarse-toothed leaves and produces clusters of delicate, lavender to white flowers, each encased in a small bract. The blooms are arranged in complex inflorescences that encircle the stem at intervals. The entire plant is covered with a fine down, giving it a soft texture, and emits a notably strong fragrance.
Square stem, typical of mint family, 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall.
Heart-shaped, coarse-toothed leaves, grey-green with visible veins.
Clusters of small, two-lipped, tubular flowers in dense whorls.
Delicate lavender to white flowers in spike-like racemes, emitting a strong fragrance.
Fine down covering entire plant, creating a soft texture.
Catnip features aromatic, coarsely-toothed leaves that are triangular to ovate in shape. These leaves, measuring up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length, display a distinct grey-green hue due to their downy texture. The vein pattern is prominently visible, enhancing the overall textured appearance. The downy surface contributes to a soft, almost fuzzy feel, making the grey-green coloration more apparent. These key characteristics aid in the easy identification of catnip.
The flowers of catnip are small, two-lipped, and tubular, showcasing a white hue with pale purple spots. They appear in dense whorls on spike-like racemes, measuring about 1-6 inches (2.5-15 cm) long. Blooming from May through September, these flowers create a visually striking display and are easily identified by their characteristic shape and coloration.
The stem of catnip is characteristically square in cross-section, indicative of its mint family lineage. It is typically green but can display a slight purple hue. The stem is thick, ranging from 0.12 to 0.2 inches (3 to 5 mm) in diameter, and covered with fine hairs, imparting a slightly fuzzy texture. Branching is opposite, with nodes that may appear slightly swollen. This unique square shape and texture make the stem a key feature for identifying catnip.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Catnip