Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Lamiales Bromhead
Family
Labiatae Juss.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Nepeta L., Sp. Pl. 570-572 (1753)
Vernacular Name(s):
Catmint; Catnip
 Description

Usually perennial, rarely annual, aromatic herbs, not rhizomatous. Lvs simple, dentate to deeply and jaggedly toothed. Verticels in lax or dense spike-like infls, usually bracteate. Fls ☿ or unisexual. Calyx cylindric to ± campanulate, straight or curved, not gibbous at base, 15-nerved, 5-toothed. Corolla funnelform or cylindric-campanulate; tube slender, straight or curved, sometimes much exserted, glabrous inside; limb 2-lipped; upper lip short, ± straight, 2-lobed; lower lip spreading, 3-lobed. Stamens ± exserted, parallel, with the 2 outer posterior stamens longer; anther cells divergent. Style gynobasic, its branches equal. Nutlets smooth or variously rugose, oblong to subglobose.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species and named hybrids in New Zealand within Nepeta L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised2
Exotic: Casual1
Total3
 Bibliography
Hobbs, J.; Hatch, T. 1994: Bulbs for New Zealand Gardens. Godwit Press, Auckland.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.