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Name That Plant!

Smells like catnip & peppermint; looks like basil...what is it?

14 years ago

I found some of these growing at the edge of the woods behind our next door neighbor's house.

They are either a) the result of a cross-pollination between two different mint species that self-sowed, or b) a wild mint species that I don't know about.

They smell, in my opinion, almost exactly like a cross between catnip and peppermint, with catnip being the dominant scent but also a very peppermint-like smell coming along with it. The leaves are not hairy, and sort of resemble some type of basil in both shape and texture.

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Featured Answer

catman529
Original Author

14 years ago

No flowers yet, the plants are only about 3" tall and are growing near the southern edge of a wooded area. The ground is somewhat bare and dry in the particular area.

Comments (11)

coolesrat
14 years ago
ive seen those leaves bfor i think its in the mint family so id try looking into the mint family
catman529
Original Author
14 years ago
I know for sure it's in the mint family:

1) square stems
2) opposite leaves
3) aromatic

Now I just need to figure out what exactly it is.
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My kitty Salem is a year old now I believe (I need to check the calendar). A few months ago he didn't care for catnip at all, until about a month ago. I snipped a piece, put it in his face and he went nuts! Then he didn't want it anymore. But now, I've caught him laying all over it. He just loves it. Fortunately he doesn't bite it, he only smashes it. I'll be prunning it soon. So maybe I'll save the clippings and let them dry. I'm not sure what affect the dry catnip with have on him. He's insane! He just pulled a "spiderman." I have cages over my strawberry plants to protect them from him (he lays all over the plants), and he likes to jump on the cages. We'll he just found out I'm at the computer (he heard me through the window), so he jumped on one of the cages and took a flying leap and jumped onto the window screen and hung there like Spidy! Now I have 6 holes in my screen...nice! He's insane! I'm just glad he hasn't taken a liking to my Lemon Grass. Tania ~_~
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catman529
Original Author
14 years ago
bump
gardenguru1950
14 years ago
How about a "habit" (overall) photo? Any flowers yet?

Joe
fatamorgana2121
14 years ago
Looks like young leaves to me. They are not always the best to id from. What a little bit and as your plant gets taller try to id again. As the plant matures/gets more mature leaves, it will most likely take on its true looks and be easier to identify.

Post another picture then and/or one to the Herbs forum. While nothing beats this group in id'ing plants, if you're pretty sure it's a mint of some type, ask in the Herbs forum as well. There is alot of herb-specific specific knowledge there.

FataMorgana
Tiara Allen
3 years ago

I have the same plant coming up between my mint and basil... Can the two cross pollinate? 🤷
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
3 years ago
No, they can’t. They’re different genera. Inter-generic crosses are incredibly rare.

I’m curious how you came across an 11 year old thread?
Jay 6a Chicago
3 years ago
Ocimum tenuiflorum?
Tiara Allen
3 years ago
It came up searching for an ID. Im thinkingi its Anise
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
3 years ago
Anise is in a different plant family and looks completely unlike this photograph. If you’re looking for an id of your own, start a new post and include a picture of your plant. We also need the geographical location. We’ll do our best to give you a name.

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