Tuesday 18 June Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) Pennyroyal fact
file - Find out more - Print factsheet Pennyroyal is a creeping
plant that has small, elliptical leaves in opposite pairs on the
stem. The lilac to pinkish-purple coloured flowers are arranged
in tightly-packed whorls down the stem (2), which have been
likened to pin-cushions (5). The plant gives off a distinctive
peppermint-like aroma (2). - Height: 10 - 40 cm (2) Pennyroyal
is a perennial plant that flowers from June to October (2).
Although the flowers seem to set seed well, and are self-
compatible, seedlings have rarely been observed in the wild, and
the plant tends to spread by rooting from the stems (3). This
species was thought of as something of a 'cure-all'; it was a
common feature of cottage gardens and was used as a treatment
for many ailments including colds, and as a flea repellent.
Indeed, the Latin name pulegium was given to the plant by the
Romans who knew that the leaves kept the flea Pulex at bay
(5).Top This native species has exp