Common Name:

General Information

Nepeta elliptica is a herbaceous perennial plant with erect, branched stems; it grows around 35 - 70cm tall[, ]..
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a food flavouring.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas of eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan, northwest India and Nepal

Habitat

Open slopes; at elevations from 2,600 - 2,800 metres.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Nepeta species generally grow best in a sunny position and a well-drained soil. Many are found in poor soils in the wild, and have a bushier growth habit in more fertile soils[].

Edible Uses

The shoots and leaves are used as cooked foods and for flavouring sauces[].

Medicinal

An infusion prepared from the seeds is used in the treatment of digestive disorders[].
One dram of the seeds, infused in cold water, is used in the treatment of dysentery[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn, in situ if possible. Germination of spring sown seed can be erratic[]. The seed is best sown in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Division of clumps in the autumn or spring, when the plant is dormant or just coming into growth[].
Stem tip or softwood cuttings can be taken in the spring or early summer[].