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Lamiaceae Taxonomy Browser
Nepeta cataria L.
EOL Text
Catnip is well known to be of great interest to many domestic cats, although the compounds arousing cats presumably evolved as deterrents against insect herbivores (Eisner 1964) and interactions between catnip and cats are presumably not of ecological or evolutionary significance. Tucker and Tucker (1988) reviewed the effects of catnip on cats. They noted that cats respond to catnip with predictable behaviors, including (1) sniffing, (2) licking and chewing with head shaking, (3) chin and cheek rubbing, and (4) head-over rolling and body rubbing. They may also exhibit digging or pawing, scratching, salivating, washing or grooming. stretching, animated leaping, licking of the genital region, apparent hallucinations, sexual stimulation, euphoria, sleepiness, and/or eating. The complete response rarely exceeds 10 to 15 minutes and is followed by a refractory period of about an hour during which catnip does not elicit a behavioral response. Interestingly, no response to catnip is evident in kittens during the first 6 to 8 weeks after birth, and this response may not develop until 3 months of age. (Tucker and Tucker 1988 and references therein).
Not all domestic cats respond to catnip. Based on a study using a documented pedigree of Siamese cats and a random sample of 84 cats from the Boston area, Todd (1962) concluded that the catnip response is inherited as an autosomal dominant gene. Investigations of a variety of mammals have revealed no catnip response in non-felids tested, but within the Felidae (cat family) many (though apparently not all) wild cat species, both males and females, exhibit a catnip response (for details, see Tucker and Tucker 1988 and references therein).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Shapiro, Leo, Shapiro, Leo, EOL Rapid Response Team |
Source | http://eolspecies.lifedesks.org/pages/22705 |
The non-native Catnip is a common plant in central and northern Illinois, but uncommon or absent in many areas of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include limestone barrens on bluffs, open woodlands, weedy meadows, pastures, fence rows, gravelly areas along railroads, and miscellaneous waste areas. Sometimes this plant is cultivated in herbal gardens. It is usually found in disturbed areas, but occasionally invades natural areas where limestone is close to the soil surface. This species was introduced into North America from Eurasia. Faunal Associations
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/catnip.htm |
The physiologically active component of catnip oil is a now well-characterized compound known as nepetalactone (for details, see Tucker and Tucker 1988 and references therein). Tucker and Tucker (1988) discuss what is known about the chemistry of a range of other plants and insects that have reported to be attractive to cats.
Catnip is well known to be of great interest to many domestic cats, although the compounds arousing cats presumably evolved as deterrents against insect herbivores
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Shapiro, Leo, Shapiro, Leo, EOL Rapid Response Team |
Source | http://eolspecies.lifedesks.org/pages/22705 |
Canada
Origin: Exotic
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Unknown/Undetermined
Confidence: Confident
United States
Origin: Exotic
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Unknown/Undetermined
Confidence: Confident
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Nepeta+cataria |
Cultivated in Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, Japan; Africa, Europe, North America]
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200019873 |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 10
Specimens with Barcodes: 14
Species With Barcodes: 1
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is native to Eurasia, but now established widely in North America (e.g., Hitchcock 1973; Gleason and Cronquist 1991; Hickman 1993), and naturalized in southeastern Australia (Australia's Virtual Herbarium, queried 21 July 2010) and possibly elsewhere.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Shapiro, Leo, Shapiro, Leo, EOL Rapid Response Team |
Source | http://eolspecies.lifedesks.org/pages/22705 |
Canada
Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Nepeta+cataria |
S. & C. Europe, C. Asia to Himalaya (Kashmir to Nepal), Australia, N. America.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=110&taxon_id=200019873 |