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Mentha pulegium
  • Pennyroyal

a perennial member of the Mentha genus in the family Labiatae.

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Mentha pulegium has 0 edible uses listed
Mentha pulegium has 0 material uses listed
Mentha pulegium has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

In large quantities this plant, especially in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so it should not be used by pregnant women[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked[2][3][4]. Used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[5]. A spearmint-like flavour, though rather coarser, it is not used very often in Britain[6]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[5]. For drying, it should be harvested as the plant comes into flower[6].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

An essential oil is obtained from the whole plant, used in soap making[7][8] and as a cleanser for fabrics[9]. A yield of 14kg of oil per hectare is considered good[6].

The plant has a low spreading habit and can be used as a ground cover, though it is somewhat sparse in the winter and can be invaded by the more aggressive weeds[K]. The growing or dried plant repels fleas, ants, moths, mice etc[10][11][12][9][13][14]. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain[15]. A strong infusion applied to the face will keep gnats away in the summer[16].

The aromatic leaves are used as an ingredient of pot-pourri[14].

Unknown part

Cleanser
Essential
Pot-pourri
Repellent
Strewing

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Pennyroyal has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. Its main value is as a digestive tonic where it increases the secretion of digestive juices and relieves flatulence and colic[17]. Pennyroyal also powerfully stimulates the uterine muscles and encourages menstruation, thus it should not be prescribed for pregnant women since it can procure abortions, this is especially the case if the essential oil is used[14][17].

The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, sedative and stimulant[6][3][7][1]. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, minor respiratory infections, digestive disorders, menstrual complaints and various minor ailments[18][14][17]. It is occasionally used as a treatment for intestinal worms[17]. Externally, an infusion is used to treat itchiness and formication, inflamed skin disorders such as eczema and rheumatic conditions such as gout[17]. The leaves are harvested in the summer as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use[6].

The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses[18].

Unknown part

Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Carminative
Diaphoretic
Emmenagogue
Sedative
Stimulant
Uterine tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[K]. Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Mentha pulegium. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[19]. Plants are very quickly diminished by dry conditions[6]. Prefers a stiff moist soil that is slightly acid[20][4][21][19]. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but plants succeed in partial shade.

Pennyroyal is often grown in the herb garden and is also cultivated commercially as a medicinal plant[6][22]. There are two main forms of this species. One has weak prostrate stems and spreads by rooting where the stems touch the ground, it is only 10cm tall[6]. The other is erect, does not spread so freely and grows about 30cm tall, thus making it easier to harvest[6]. There is also at least one named form, called 'Dwarf' it is only a few centimetres tall[5]. The whole plant a strong spearmint smell. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies[23]. A good companion plant for cabbages and tomatoes[11], helping to repel cabbage root fly and other burrowing insects[13].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[24].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Mentha pulegium. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Mentha pulegium.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Mentha pulegium
Genus
Mentha
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[17][14][6][3][7][1][18]
Material uses & Functions
[7][8][9][6][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
Botanic
[25][19]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.4 x 0.6 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Mentha pulegium 002.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Mentha pulegium 002.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.006.016.026.036.046.056.066.076.086.096.106.11 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    10. ? 10.010.1 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. (1970-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.317.417.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.2 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.119.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    20. ? Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (1977-00-00)
    21. ? Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
    22. ? Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
    23. ? Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
    24. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    25. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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    Facts about "Mentha pulegium"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLabiatae +
    Belongs to genusMentha +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has common namePennyroyal +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Leaves +
    Has edible useSeasoning +, Unknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageMentha pulegium 002.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useCleanser +, Essential +, Pot-pourri +, Repellent + and Strewing +
    Has mature height0.4 +
    Has mature width0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiseptic +, Antispasmodic +, Carminative +, Diaphoretic +, Emmenagogue +, Sedative +, Stimulant + and Uterine tonic +
    Has primary imageMentha pulegium 002.JPG +
    Has search namementha pulegium + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameMentha pulegium +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +