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Nepeta cataria

Species category

Herb or Spice

Common name

catnip, catmint, catwort, field balm

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

NutletNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.
 with two flat sides

Size

  • Length 1.5 mm 
  • Width 1 mm 
  • Thickness 0.5 mm 

Color

Black with white scars

Texture

Moderately rough

Other structures

Slanting, ovalOval:
Broadly elliptic.
 scar is at the base on each of the two flat surfaces.

Identification notes

There are three longitudinal surfaces: one rounded and two adjacent flat surfaces with slanting, ovalOval:
Broadly elliptic.
 scars at their bases. The scars do not touch each other.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Lamiaceae

Valid name

Nepeta cataria L.

From Left to Right: 1. Salvia azurea var. grandiflora 2. Dracocephalum parviflora 3. Salvia reflexa 4. Nepeta cataria 5. Monarda punctata 6. Mentha arvensis . Nutlets with white scars at the base. 
From Left to Right: 1. Salvia azurea var. grandiflora 2. Dracocephalum parviflora 3. Salvia reflexa 4. Nepeta cataria 5. Monarda punctata 6.Mentha arvensis. Nutlets with white scars at the base. 
Nepeta cataria. Nutlets with a slanting, oval scar at the base on each of the two flat surfaces. 
Nepeta cataria. Nutlets with a slanting, oval scar at the base on each of the two flat surfaces.