710 MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



"seeds" are used for genito-urinary troubles. Savory (Satureia hortensis) an 

 annual herb of Europe, sparingly run wild in western United States, is used 

 as a pot herb. The patchouli (^Pogostemon Heyneanus) is used by the Arabs 

 to scent mattresses and shawls. Sage (Salvia officinalis) is cultivated as a pot 

 herb and contains pinene, cineol, thujone and borneol. Marjoram (^Origanum 

 majorana), a perennial plant native to South of Europe, and cultivated as an 

 aromatic herb, is also an excellent honey plant containing citral. Many species 

 of mints, like the brilliantly colored South American sage {Salvia coccinea, S. 

 splendens, etc.) and others native to the southern states and the west, are culti- 

 vated for ornamental purposes. The lance leaved sage {S. lanceolata) is a 

 troublesome weed in the West. S. officinalis of Europe, a stimulant and tonic, 

 contains cineol and salviol Cj^^Hj^O, and is commonly used with meat and 

 sausage in German communities. The Japanese potato {Stachys Sieboldii), is 

 used as the Jerusalem artichoke is. Sweet balm (Melissa officinalis), a pot 

 herb, contains a bitter principle. 



Cymol, Cj(|Hj^O, one of the benzol derivatives, occurs in many of the 

 Labiates, especially in Thymus officinalis, Monarda punctata, and Micromeria , 

 punctata. Thymol, a benzol derivative, is also found in Origanum fioribundum 

 and Monarda citriodora. 



Genera of Labiatae 



Calyx rigid, spiny, pointed 3 Leonurus 



Calyx not spiny toothed. 

 Anthers approximate. 



Fertile stamens 2 2 Hedeoma 



Fertile stamens 4 



Calyx tubular curved 1 Nepeta 



Calyx bell-shaped. 



Aromatic herbs, stamens exserted 5 Mentha 



Not aromatic herbs ascending under the upper lip 4 Lamium 



1. Nepeta L. Catnip 



Herbs with dentate or incised leaves; flowers white or blue, in clusters; 

 calyx tubular; corolla 2-lipped, lower lip spreading, 3-lobed. About ISO species 

 native to Europe and Asia. 



Nepeta Cataria L. Catnip 



A perennial erect herb, 1-3 feet high; leaves ovate, cordate, coarsely serrate, 

 petiolate, whitish, downy underneath; flowers in cymose clusters; corolla whit- 

 ish, dotted with purple. 



Distribution. Native to Europe; widely naturalized in northern states. 



Nepeta hederacea (L,.). Trevisan. Ground Ivy 



A creeping, trailing perennial, with leaves all alike; petioled, round, kidney- 

 shaped, crenate, smooth green on both sides; flowers light blue in axillary 

 whorls of about 6, appearing, in early spring and summer. 



Distribution. Native to Europe, widely naturalized in the northern states, 

 especially in shady places. 



Poisonous properties. According to Dr. Schaffner, Ground Ivy is said to 

 be poisonous to horses. Contains a volatile oil and a bitter principle. The 

 common catnip also contains a volatile oil and bitter principle. 



