Difference between revisions of "Pennyroyal"

From Gardenology.org - Plant Encyclopedia and Gardening Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
 
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{Taxobox
+
{{SPlantbox
−
| color = lightgreen
+
|familia=Lamiaceae
−
| name = Pennyroyal
+
|genus=Mentha
−
| image = Mentha pulegium.jpg
+
|species=pulegium
−
| image_width = 200px
+
|taxo_author=L.
−
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
+
|common_name=Pennyroyal
−
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
+
|habit=herbaceous
−
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
+
|Min ht metric=cm
−
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
+
|poisonous=oil
−
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
+
|lifespan=perennial
−
| genus = ''[[Mentha]]''
+
|exposure=sun
−
| species = '''''M. pulegium'''''
+
|features=flowers, fragrance, ground cover
−
| binomial = ''Mentha pulegium''
+
|Temp Metric=°F
−
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
+
|image=Gardenology.org-IMG 2751 rbgs11jan.jpg
 +
|image_width=240
 
}}
 
}}
−
The herb '''Pennyroyal''' (''[[Mentha]] pulegium'', family [[Lamiaceae]]), is a member of the [[mint]] [[genus]]; an [[essential oil]] extracted from it is used in [[aromatherapy]]. Crushed Pennyroyal leaves and foliage exhibit a very strong mint fragrance. Pennyroyal is a traditional [[folk medicine]] poison and [[abortifacient]]. These oils are high in [[pulegone]], a highly toxic volatile, which can stimulate uterine activity.  
+
'''Pennyroyal''' refers to two plants in the mint family, ''[[Lamiaceae]]''. For the American species, see [[American pennyroyal]]. The European pennyroyal, ''Mentha pulegium'', (also called Squaw Mint, Mosquito Plant,<ref>Gunby, Phil. (1979). "Medical News: Plant Known for Centuries Still Causes Problems Today." ''Journal of the American Medical Association'' 241(21): 2246-2247.</ref> and Pudding Grass<ref>Keville, Kathi. (1994). ''Herbs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia''. New York, New York: Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. Pp. 128.</ref>), is a [[plant]] in the [[mentha|mint]] [[genus]], within the family [[Lamiaceae]]. Crushed Pennyroyal leaves exhibit a very strong fragrance similar to [[spearmint]]. Pennyroyal is a traditional [[culinary herb]], [[folk remedy]], and [[abortifacient]]. The essential oil of pennyroyal is used in [[aromatherapy]], and is also high in [[pulegone]], a highly [[toxic]] [[volatile organic compound]] affecting liver and uterine function.
  
−
==Uses==
+
{{Inc|
−
Pennyroyal [[Tisane|tea]] has been traditionally employed as an [[emmenagogue]] or as an [[abortifacient]]. The [[essential oil]] is extremely concentrated, and is highly toxic even in small doses.<ref name="medline">U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health [[MedlinePlus]] website, [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-pennyroyal.html  Pennyroyal patient information] retrieved on August 6, 2007.</ref>  Complications have been reported from attempts to use the oil to induce abortions:  in 1978, a pregnant woman died after consuming approximately two [[tablespoon]]fuls (30&nbsp;ml) of Pennyroyal oil, and in 1994, another death occurred after a pregnant woman (attempting to self-abort, but with an unknown [[ectopic pregnancy]]) consumed tea containing Pennyroyal extract.<ref>''[[Metro Silicon Valley]]'', December 14, 1995. "Lifestyle on Trial" by Gordon Young. [http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/12.14.95/pennyroyal-9550.html Metroactive online edition],  retrieved on August 6, 2007.</ref><ref name="medline" />
+
Mentha pulegium. Linn. Pennyroyal. Prostrate, much branched: lvs. small, about ½in. or less long, round-oval, entire or slightly crenate, hairy: fls. in dense axillary whorls, small, bluish lilac; mouth of calyx closed by hairs; upper lobe of corolla notched. In wet places, Eu. and W. Asia, and intro. elsewhere.
 +
 
 +
Var. gibraltarica, Hort., is a dwarf compact form with deep green foliage which is sometimes variegated, used in rock-gardens and also in geometrical designs.—M. Pulegium has a strong and agreeable odor; lvs. sometimes used for seasoning. It is sometimes grown in kitchen-gardens, preferring a moist rather stiff soil. Prop, by division. The American pennyroyal is Hedeoma pulegioides. The oil of the two is similar.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Inc|
 +
Pennyroyal of Europe, Mentha Pulegium; of America, Hedeoma pulegioides. Bastard P., or blue curls, is Trichostema dichotomum. All are members of the mint family.
 +
 
 +
The garden pennyroyal, Mentha Pulegium, is a European perennial, used for seasoning. It is one of the sweet herbs." It is easily grown, profiting by a winter protection of leaves or litter. Propagation is mostly by division. Beds should be renewed frequently.{{SCH}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Cultivation==
 +
{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
 +
 
 +
===Propagation===
 +
division, cuttings, seed
 +
 
 +
===Pests and diseases===
 +
{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
 +
 
 +
==Species==
 +
<!-- This section should be renamed Cultivars if it appears on a page for a species (rather than genus), or perhaps Varieties if there is a mix of cultivars, species, hybrids, etc    -->
 +
 
 +
==Gallery==
 +
{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:Gardenology.org-IMG 2750 rbgs11jan.jpg
 +
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
 +
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
 +
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
−
* ''[[Hedeoma pulegioides]]'' &mdash; American Pennyroyal, distantly related species
+
* ''[[Hedeoma pulegioides]]'' — American Pennyroyal, distantly related species
−
* "[[Pennyroyal Tea]]" (1993), grunge rock song by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
<references />
+
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
 +
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
 +
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
 +
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
−
{{Commonscat|Mentha pulegium}}
+
*{{wplink}}
−
*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/plants_and_algae/Mentha_pulegium/ images and movies of the Pennyroyal ''(Mentha pulegium)'']
 
−
 
 
−
* [http://www.maltawildplants.com/LABT/Mentha_pulegium.html Comprehensive profile for ''Mentha pulegium''] from the website [[MaltaWildPlants.com]]
 
  
−
[[Category:Abortifacients]]
+
{{stub}}
−
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
+
__NOTOC__
−
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
 

Latest revision as of 13:30, 23 November 2011


Gardenology.org-IMG 2751 rbgs11jan.jpg


Plant Characteristics
Habit   herbaceous

Lifespan: ⌛ perennial
Poisonous: ☠ oil
Cultivation
Exposure: ☼ sun
Features: ✓ flowers, fragrance, ground cover
Scientific Names

Lamiaceae >

Mentha >

pulegium >

L. >


Pennyroyal refers to two plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. For the American species, see American pennyroyal. The European pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium, (also called Squaw Mint, Mosquito Plant,[1] and Pudding Grass[2]), is a plant in the mint genus, within the family Lamiaceae. Crushed Pennyroyal leaves exhibit a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Pennyroyal is a traditional culinary herb, folk remedy, and abortifacient. The essential oil of pennyroyal is used in aromatherapy, and is also high in pulegone, a highly toxic volatile organic compound affecting liver and uterine function.


Read about Pennyroyal in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Mentha pulegium. Linn. Pennyroyal. Prostrate, much branched: lvs. small, about ½in. or less long, round-oval, entire or slightly crenate, hairy: fls. in dense axillary whorls, small, bluish lilac; mouth of calyx closed by hairs; upper lobe of corolla notched. In wet places, Eu. and W. Asia, and intro. elsewhere.

Var. gibraltarica, Hort., is a dwarf compact form with deep green foliage which is sometimes variegated, used in rock-gardens and also in geometrical designs.—M. Pulegium has a strong and agreeable odor; lvs. sometimes used for seasoning. It is sometimes grown in kitchen-gardens, preferring a moist rather stiff soil. Prop, by division. The American pennyroyal is Hedeoma pulegioides. The oil of the two is similar.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.



Read about Pennyroyal in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Pennyroyal of Europe, Mentha Pulegium; of America, Hedeoma pulegioides. Bastard P., or blue curls, is Trichostema dichotomum. All are members of the mint family.

The garden pennyroyal, Mentha Pulegium, is a European perennial, used for seasoning. It is one of the sweet herbs." It is easily grown, profiting by a winter protection of leaves or litter. Propagation is mostly by division. Beds should be renewed frequently.CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Do you have cultivation info on this plant? Edit this section!

Propagation

division, cuttings, seed

Pests and diseases

Do you have pest and disease info on this plant? Edit this section!

Species

Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

  • Gardenology.org-IMG 2750 rbgs11jan.jpg

  • photo 1

  • photo 2

  • photo 3

See also

References

External links


  1. ↑ Gunby, Phil. (1979). "Medical News: Plant Known for Centuries Still Causes Problems Today." Journal of the American Medical Association 241(21): 2246-2247.
  2. ↑ Keville, Kathi. (1994). Herbs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York, New York: Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. Pp. 128.
Retrieved from "http://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Pennyroyal&oldid=132779"