Pennyroyal - Mentha pulegium
500 Seeds
Sow April - May
Hardy perinnial.
Height 60cm (24in), spread indefinate.
Prefers a moist, rich, well-drained soil in a sunny position.
Sow seeds outside when the soil is dry, it tolerates most soils, and prefers direct sun. Sow on the surface of a well prepared seed bed, lightly covering with fine soil. Keep moist until germination takes place. Root cuttings can be placed 15cm apart. Grow as you would any member of the mint family.
Bright green, small, oval, peppermint scented leaves. The stems are lax and root wherever they touch the ground. The mauve flowers grow in terminal, globe-like clusters around the stem, which appear in late spring.
Pennyroyal
Also known as European and Creeping Pennyroyal, Run by the Ground, Lurk in the ditch and Pudding Grass.
From the family Lamiaceae.
A native of Europe and North Africa, 'Pulegium' is derived from the Latin 'pulex' meaning flea because both the fresh plant and the smoke from the burning leaves were used to exterminate the insect. In Greek mythology Minthe was a nymph beloved by Pluto who transformed her into these scented herbs after his jealous wife took drastic action. Long age, the wise women of the village used pennyroyal to induce abortion. It has since been used to facilitate menstruation. Pennyroyal water was distilled from the leaves and given as an antidote to spasmodic, nervous and hysterical affections.