View Single Post
  #4   Report Post  
Old 11-06-2010, 12:27 AM posted to rec.gardens
Bill who putters Bill who putters is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by GardenBanter: May 2009
Posts: 1,085
Default What's ailing my mint?

In article ,
"David E. Ross" wrote:

On 6/10/10 1:38 PM, Nelly Wensdow wrote:
This "weed" came in with a load of topsoil a few years ago. It smells &
tastes like pennyroyal, I just love the stuff. So much that I brought some
with me when I moved to another state. I've been keeping it in a
half-barrel
planter, and every year it seems to get worse. The newer growth doesn't
seem
so much affected as the first spring shoots, though.

http://webpages.charter.net/slyrp/Pl...20arvensis.JPG




If it is indeed pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), it requires constant
moisture. It even tolerates wet soil. It needs either full sun or part
shade and occasional feeding.

However, pennyroyal has round leaves. Your photos shows long, pointed
leaves.

Be careful with pennyroyal, both in your garden and in your mouth. All
mints can become very invasive if they escape a container. Pennyroyal
can be toxic if you eat significant amounts, but it's safe in small
amounts (e.g., as a flavoring).


Essential oil of pennyroyal once used to abort children. Still useful
to drive ants out of a home. Smells sweet then cloys . A little goes
a long way.

--
Bill S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden
What use one more wake up call?
http://ocg6.marine.usf.edu/~liu/Drif...atest_roms.htm