Catnip (Catmint)

• Common Name: Catnip (Catmint)
• Latin Name: Nepeta spp., especially N. cataria; N. faassenii
• Family Name: Lamiaceae/Labiatae

Catnip contains nepetalactone, a terpene that acts as a hallucinogen in cats, but is often said to have no effect on other animals.  However, we have found that it can cause drowsiness and disorientation in birds, and although there is no record of its effect on reptiles, we feel it would be best to avoid either feeding this plant to tortoises or planting it in the enclosure. 

Catmint can be identified by the pungent smell of the leaves and the small purple dots inside the flower.