Wikimedia Commons
Lamiaceae
Pennyroyal Flower
Mentha pulegium
Protection and fleeing from danger.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Genus
- Mentha
- Native to
- Europe, North Africa, western Asia
- Bloom season
- Summer, Early Autumn
- Type
- creeping herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 10–40 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- moist, well-drained
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 6–9
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The name 'pennyroyal' may derive from the Latin 'pulegium' meaning 'flea', as it was historically used as a flea repellent.
- It is one of the smallest mints but one of the most potent — its essential oil contains pulegone, which is toxic in concentrated form.
- Romans scattered pennyroyal at feasts to drive away fleas and freshen the air.
- Despite being a traditional herb, pennyroyal oil is dangerous and has caused fatalities when ingested in large quantities.
- It was one of the herbs listed in Charlemagne's 'Capitulare de villis', a decree on plants to be grown in imperial gardens.
Color meanings
Purple
vigilant protection
Lilac
herbal healing