Japanese name: イヌハッカ（犬薄荷） Scientific name:Nepeta cataria
[Overview]
A perennial 50–100 cm tall, found at roadsides and similar places.
The stems and leaves have white hairs, and the whole plant has a scent similar to mint.
The stem is branched and square in cross section.
The leaves are simple and opposite, triangular-ovate, 2–6 cm long and 1–3.5 cm wide.
The leaf margins are toothed.
There are long petioles.
Verticillasters 2–4 cm long are produced at the stem tips.
The flowers are two-lipped, 5-lobed, and pale purple or white.
The fruit is a schizocarp.
[History]
The alternative name Chikuma-hakka derives from its discovery in Chikuma District, Nagano; the plants in Nagano are considered wild, while those seen elsewhere in Japan are considered naturalized.
Some hold that the plants in Nagano are also naturalized.
[Uses]
It is grown as a herb and used for herbal tea and for flavoring dishes.
It is also used medicinally.
It contains a substance that excites cats and is used in cat toys and the like.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by division, or by cuttings.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
For potted plants, water when the soil surface dries.
Cultivation is easy.
