Catnip Facts
Catnip Facts
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| Interesting Catnip Facts: |
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| Catnip has square-shaped, branched, hairy stem that can reach 20 to 39 inches in height. |
| Catnip has soft, hairy, triangular or ovate leaves with serrated edges and pointed tips. Leaves are oppositely arranged on the stem. They are pale green on the upper surface and whitish on the bottom side (due to short, white hairs). |
| Catnip produces small, fragrant, lip-shaped, white or pale lavender flowers with purple dots, arranged in dense whorled clusters on the tips of the branches and stem. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs. |
| Catnip blooms from spring to autumn and attracts butterflies which are responsible for the pollination of this plant. |
| Fruit of catnip is pod filled with 4 oval, reddish-brown seeds. |
| Catnip propagates via seed and underground rhizome. |
| Aromatic, minty leaves of catnip are used as spice for cooking. |
| Tea made of catnip leaves produces sedative effect in humans and it can be used in treatment of insomnia, nausea and toothache. Crushed leaves can be applied topically, as a first aid for cuts and superficial injuries. Catnip is also available in the form of capsules today. This herbal remedy is mostly used to relieve headache and digestion problems. |
| Leaves of catnip can be also smoked, but this tradition is rarely seen today. |
| Scientific name of catnip, "Nepeta cataria", refers to the old Italian city called Nepete where this plant was especially numerous in the past, and strong reaction which this plant produces in cats ("cataria" means "cat" in Latin). |
| Catnip is rich source of substance known as nepetalactone which triggers strong, euphoric reaction in cats, manifested by rolling, twisting, rubbing and bathing in the plant. Sniffing of catnip has stimulating effect, while consumption of catnip produces short-term sedative effect in cats. |
| Only around 50 to 75% of cats have strong reaction to catnip that usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes. Catnip doesn't have harmful effect and doesn't create addiction in cats. This plant is available in the form of pellets, loose leaves, sprays, scratching pads and various toys today and it is often used as a training tool. |
| Even large cats such as lions, leopards and tigers react to nepetalactone in catnip. |
| Nepetalactone in catnip also acts as strong natural repellent for flies, mosquitoes, termites, cockroaches, aphids and squash bugs. |
| Catnip is perennial plant (life span: more than 2 years). |
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