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− | {{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. |
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− | ==Uses==
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− | 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 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. |
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| + | 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. |
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| + | {{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. |
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| + | 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}} |
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| + | ==Cultivation== |
| + | {{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line --> |
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| + | ===Propagation=== |
| + | division, cuttings, seed |
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| + | ===Pests and diseases=== |
| + | {{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line --> |
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| + | ==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 --> |
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| + | ==Gallery== |
| + | {{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery --> |
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| + | <gallery> |
| + | File:Gardenology.org-IMG 2750 rbgs11jan.jpg |
| + | Image:Upload.png| photo 1 |
| + | Image:Upload.png| photo 2 |
| + | Image:Upload.png| photo 3 |
| + | </gallery> |
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| ==See also== | | ==See also== |
− | * ''[[Hedeoma pulegioides]]'' — American Pennyroyal, distantly related species | + | * ''[[Hedeoma pulegioides]]'' — American Pennyroyal, distantly related species |
− | * "[[Pennyroyal Tea]]" (1993), grunge rock song by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
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| ==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 --> |
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| ==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)'']
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− | * [http://www.maltawildplants.com/LABT/Mentha_pulegium.html Comprehensive profile for ''Mentha pulegium''] from the website [[MaltaWildPlants.com]]
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− | [[Category:Abortifacients]]
| + | {{stub}} |
− | [[Category:Lamiaceae]]
| + | __NOTOC__ |
− | [[Category:Medicinal plants]]
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