View source for Nepeta

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Catnip''
| image = Catnip-blossom.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Nepeta curviflora''
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = '''''Nepeta'''''
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
See text.
}}
'''''Nepeta''''' is a [[genus]] of about 250 [[species]] of [[flowering plant]]s in the family [[Lamiaceae]].  The members of this group are known as '''catnips''' or '''catmints''' due to its famed liking by [[cat]]s&mdash;nepeta pleasantly stimulates cats' [[Pheromone|pheromonic]] receptor.   The genus is native to [[Europe]], [[Asia]], and [[Africa]], with the highest species diversity in the [[Mediterranean region]] east to [[mainland China]]. It is now common in [[North America]] as a [[weed]]<ref>Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, Vol. 5 (ISBN 0-8343-0051-6)</ref>.  Most of the species are [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]]s, but some are [[annual plant|annual]]s. They have sturdy stems with opposite heart-shaped, green to grayish-green leaves. The [[flower]]s are white, blue, pink, or lilac and occur in several clusters toward the tip of the stems. The flowers are tubular shaped and are spotted with tiny purple dots. The scent of the plant has a stimulating effect on cats. Also, it is claimed by some that the oil isolated from catnip by steam distillation is a repellant against insects. Research has shown this to be not the case with the yellow fever mosquito.<ref>Feeding deterrent effects of catnip oil components compared with two synthetic amides against Aedes aegypti.     Chauhan, Kamlesh R.; Klun, Jerome A.; Debboun, Mustapha; Kramer, Matthew.    BA, PSI, Chemicals Affecting Insect Behavior Laboratory,  USDA-ARS,  Beltsville,  MD,  USA.    Journal of Medical Entomology  (2005),  42(4),  643-646.  Publisher: Entomological Society of America,  CODEN: JMENA6  ISSN: 0022-2585.  Journal  written in English. </ref>

==Effects on cats==
{{Refimprovesect|date=July 2007}}
[[image:catnip-effects.jpg|thumb|A domestic cat demonstrating the effects of catnip: rolling, pawing, frisking, etc.]]
Catnip and catmints are mainly known for the [[Narcotic|narcotic]] and hallucinogenic effects they have on [[Felidae|cat]]s, particularly [[cat|domestic cats]].  Both true catnip and Faassen's catnip have a sharp, biting taste, while the taste of giant catmint is bland. Approximately two thirds of cats are susceptible to the effects of catnip, as the phenomenon is [[hereditary]]. The fact that it only elicits such a response in a proportion of cats—and that it is such a dramatic response—suggests that a genetic element is involved that is enriched in domesticated breeds.

When cats sense the bruised leaves or stems of catnip, they will roll over it, paw at it, chew it, lick it, leap about and purr, often salivating copiously.  Some cats will also growl and meow. This reaction only lasts for a few minutes before the cat loses interest. It takes up to two hours for the cat to "[[Refractory period|reset]]" and then it can come back to the catnip and have the same response as before. Young kittens and older cats are less likely to have a reaction to catnip. [[Lions]] and [[tigers]] are also sensitive to the effects of catnip.<ref>[http://www.innvista.com/HEALTH/herbs/catnip.htm]</ref>

Catnip contains [[nepetalactone]], a [[terpene]]. Nepetalactone can be extracted from catnip using [[steam distillation]]<ref>[http://www.instructables.com/id/EMDCESQF2DSDRAG/]</ref>. Cats detect it through their [[olfactory epithelium]] and not through their [[vomeronasal organ]] <ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=3834921&query_hl=12&itool=pubmed_docsum]</ref>. At the olfactory epithelium, the nepetalactone is hypothesized to bind to one or more [[G-protein coupled receptor]]s on the surface of [[sensory neuron]]s which are found in the sensory layer of the organ. Via a [[signal transduction]] pathway (probably involving a [[G-protein]] and a [[transient receptor potential]] channel) an influx of calcium ions that occurs creates an [[action potential]] along the [[axon]] of the [[neuron]]. The sensory neurons from the olfactory epithelium project to the [[olfactory bulb]] where multiple neurons (each expressing a single receptor type) [[synapse]] at special [[neuropil]] called [[Glomerulus (olfaction)|glomeruli]]. Here the neurons synapse with [[mitral cells]] which, in turn, project to various brain loci, including the [[amygdala]], where the signals are integrated into behavioural signals. There is some evidence of projections to the [[hypothalamus]], which in turn regulates a neuro[[endocrine]] response via the [[pituitary gland]]. These hormones would mediate the "sexual response." The chemical probably hijacks the pathway normally influenced by a cat [[pheromone]].

Other plants that also have this effect on cats include [[Valerian (herb)|valerian]] (Valeriana officinalis) and plants that contain [[actinidine]] or [[dihydroactinidiolide]] (''Smith, 2005'').

==Species==
[[Image:Nepeta_curviflora.jpg|thumb|''Nepeta cataria'' flowers]]
''[[Nepeta cataria]]'' (Catnip, True Catnip, Catmint or Field Balm) is a 50&ndash;100&nbsp;[[centimetre|cm]] tall [[herb]] resembling [[Mentha|mint]] in appearance, with greyish-green leaves; the [[flower]]s are white, finely spotted with purple. It has been introduced to many countries, and is now a widespread [[weed]] in some areas, including the [[United States]]. A [[lemon]]-scented [[cultivar]], ''N. cataria'' 'Citriodora' looks exactly like true catnip, but has the scent of lemons, and can be used like [[Lemon balm]].

''[[Nepeta grandiflora]]'' (Giant Catmint or Caucasus Catmint) is lusher than true catnip, and has dark green leaves and dark blue, almost purple flowers.

''[[Nepeta × faassenii]]'' (''N. racemosa'' × ''N. nepetella''; Faassen's Nepeta or Faassen's Catnip) is mostly grown as an [[ornamental plant]]. This [[hybrid]] is far smaller than either of above, and is almost a ground cover. It has greyish-green leaves and light purple flowers.

Some ''[[Dracocephalum]]'', ''[[Glechoma]]'' and ''[[Calamintha]]'' species were formerly classified in ''Nepeta''.

''Nepeta'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Coleophora|Coleophora albitarsella]]''.

;Selected species
{|
|- valign=top
|
*''Nepeta agrestis''
*''Nepeta annua''
*''Nepeta apuleii''
*''Nepeta beltranii''
*''Nepeta camphorata''
*''Nepeta cataria''
*''Nepeta ciliaris''
*''Nepeta coerulescens''
*''Nepeta curviflora''
*''Nepeta densiflora''
*''Nepeta dentata''
*''Nepeta dirphya''
*''Nepeta discolor''
*''Nepeta elliptica''
*''Nepeta everardi''
*''Nepeta floccosa''
*''Nepeta foliosa''
*''Nepeta fordii''
*''Nepeta glutinosa''
*''Nepeta govaniana''
*''Nepeta granatensis''
*''Nepeta grandiflora''
*''Nepeta heldreichii''
*''Nepeta hemsleyana''
*''Nepeta hindostana''
*''Nepeta hispanica''
|
*''Nepeta italica''
*''Nepeta jomdaensis''
*''Nepeta kokamirica''
*''Nepeta kokanica''
*''Nepeta laevigata''
*''Nepeta lamiopsis''
*''Nepeta latifolia''
*''Nepeta leucolaena''
*''Nepeta leucophylla''
*''Nepeta longibracteata''
*''Nepeta manchuriensis''
*''Nepeta melissifolia''
*''Nepeta membranifolia''
*''Nepeta micrantha''
*''Nepeta multibracteata''
*''Nepeta multifida''
*''Nepeta mussinii''
*''Nepeta nepalensis''
*''Nepeta nepetella''
*''Nepeta nervosa''
*''Nepeta nuda''
*''Nepeta parnassica''
*''Nepeta parviflora''
*''Nepeta phyllochlamys''
*''Nepeta prattii''
*''Nepeta pungens''
|
*''Nepeta racemosa''
*''Nepeta raphanorhiza''
*''Nepeta scordotis''
*''Nepeta sessilis''
*''Nepeta sibirica''
*''Nepeta sibthorpii''
*''Nepeta souliei''
*''Nepeta spruneri''
*''Nepeta staintonii''
*''Nepeta stewartiana''
*''Nepeta sungpanensis''
*''Nepeta supina''
*''Nepeta taxkorganica''
*''Nepeta tenuiflora''
*''Nepeta tenuifolia''
*''Nepeta tuberosa''
*''Nepeta ucranica''
*''Nepeta veitchii''
*''Nepeta virgata''
*''Nepeta wilsonii''
*''Nepeta yanthina''
*''Nepeta zandaensis''

'''Natural hybrids'''
*''Nepeta × faassenii''
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
<div class="references-small">
* Jacobs, Betty E.M. Growing and Using Herbs Successfully. Garden Way Publishing. Pownal, Vermont, 1981.
</div>

==External links==
*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/FE/fe.html Flora Europaea]
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=122138 Flora of China]
*[http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=110&start_taxon_id=122138 Flora of Nepal]
*[http://www.liberherbarum.com/Pn0450.HTM Liber Herbarum II page on Nepeta cataria]
*[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm Catnip Repels Mosquitoes More Effectively Than DEET] - reported at the 222nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society
*[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_008.html The Straight Dope: What is it with cats and catnip?]
*[http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/83/8331catnip.html What is in catnip anyway? Nepetalactone]
*[http://www.joemarzo.info/catnip.php Catnip- Just for Cats?]
*[http://science.howstuffworks.com/question303.htm ''How does catnip work?''  HowStuffWorks, Inc.  1998-2005.]
*[http://www.penmarric.ns.ca/catcare/usefulinfo/catnip.htm Smith, L. ''Catnip''. Penmarrie Cornish Rex. 1996-2005.]
*[http://landscaping.about.com/od/herbplants/p/catmint_plants.htm Catnip Plants]


[[Category:Cat attractants]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]