Mentha pulegium

Mentha pulegium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Mentha
Species:
M. pulegium
Binomial name
Mentha pulegium

Mentha pulegium, commonly (European) pennyroyal, or pennyrile, also called mosquito plant[1] and pudding grass,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.[3] Crushed pennyroyal leaves emit a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Pennyroyal is a traditional folk remedy, emmenagogue, abortifacient, and culinary herb, but is toxic to the liver and has caused some deaths.[4] European pennyroyal is related to an American species, Hedeoma pulegioides. Though they differ in genera, they share similar chemical properties.[5]

  1. ^ Gunby, Phil (1979). "Medical News: Plant Known for Centuries Still Causes Problems Today". Journal of the American Medical Association. 241 (21): 2246–2247. doi:10.1001/jama.241.21.2246.
  2. ^ Keville, Kathi (1994). Herbs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York City: Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. pp. 128.
  3. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. ^ "Pennyroyal Oil Poisoning and Hepatotoxicity". JAMA Network. Journal of the American Medical Association. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ilene was invoked but never defined (see the help page).