Pennyroyal  (Mentha pulegium)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

Pennyroyal is a perennial plant that flowers from June to October (2). Although the flowers seem to set seed well, and are self-compatible, seedlings have rarely been observed in the wild, and the plant tends to spread by rooting from the stems (3).

This species was thought of as something of a 'cure-all'; it was a common feature of cottage gardens and was used as a treatment for many ailments including colds, and as a flea repellent. Indeed, the Latin name pulegium was given to the plant by the Romans who knew that the leaves kept the flea Pulex at bay (5).

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