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Pennyroyal

Mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal is a small, fragrant plant that smells like mint! It has tiny purple flowers and soft green leaves. This plant is often found in gardens and meadows.

Habitat: Gardens and meadows

Appearance

The Pennyroyal is a low-growing plant with square stems and small, oval, bright green leaves. It produces dense whorls of tiny, delicate pinkish-purple flowers clustered around its stems, giving it a somewhat bushy appearance. When crushed, its foliage releases a distinct, powerful minty aroma.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyLamiaceaeGenusMentha
Pennyroyal
herbaceous trait badgearomatic trait badgeflowering trait badgebiennial trait badge
Pennyroyal

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ancient Romans added pennyroyal to their drinks and food, even wine, for a unique flavor!

Crush a pennyroyal leaf and you'll unleash a super strong, refreshing minty smell!

Its name 'pulegium' comes from 'flea' because it was once used to repel tiny pests!

This plant loves wet feet and often grows near streams and in damp, boggy meadows!

Special abilities

Ability

Scent Shield

Pennyroyal has a strong minty scent that helps it deter hungry animals and pests from munching on its leaves.

Ability

Spreading Power

Pennyroyal can rapidly spread its roots and stems, helping it colonize damp areas quickly and effectively.

Ability

Pollinator Beacon

Pennyroyal produces dense clusters of tiny flowers that attract many small insects to pollinate it efficiently.

Measurements & details

Height
10-50 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season
Summer to early autumn
Edible
No
Toxicity
High
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Attracted to its nectar-rich flowers

pollinates

White-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus lucorum

Visits the small purple blooms for pollen

pollinates

Painted Lady Butterfly

Vanessa cardui

Feeds on nectar from its abundant flowers

Traits

Also known as

Mentha pulegium

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Always ask an adult before touching or smelling plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Pennyroyal?

10-50 cm

How wide does Pennyroyal spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on Pennyroyal?

0.2-0.5 cm

When does Pennyroyal bloom?

Summer to early autumn

Is Pennyroyal edible?

No

Is Pennyroyal toxic?

High

What is Pennyroyal's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Pennyroyal pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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