ni>int family. 



Catnip. Nepeta Oataria. 



Found from July to September, on the roadsides, and about- dwel- 

 lings. 



The large square stalk is branching, and rather leafy; it grows 

 between 2 or 3 feet high, and is strong-fibred, downy, and grooved 

 down the middle of each side ; its color is light gray-green. 



The broad oval leaf is heart-shaped at the base, the edge is cut into 

 large rounded scallops, and the surface is downy. In color it is a gray- 

 ish-green. The leaves, on very short stems, grow in pairs. 



The small flower is 2-lipped ; the upper lip is erect, and notched 

 in the middle of the margin, the larger lower lip is 3-lobed, the middle 

 lobe being much the largest. Its color is a lavender tinted white, spotted 

 with lavender dots. The small, tubular, 5-pointed calyx is green. The 

 flowers grow upon the stalk in short spike-like clusters. 



The Catnip has a pungent, mint-like odor. It is somewhat spran- 

 gling in growth, and only a few flowers open together ; but the heart 

 shaped leaf is most pleasing to the touch, because of its fine silky 

 texture. 



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