About Nepeta nepetella L.
Nepeta nepetella L. is a very variable perennial herb. It grows to a height of 40 to 80 centimetres (16 to 31 inches). It typically has green, crenate leaves. In summer, it produces flower spikes with small bluish-violet flowers that are about 1 to 1.2 centimetres (0.39 to 0.47 inches) long. Commonly called nepetella, it also has other common names including nepeta and nepitella. This plant is used in Tuscan cooking, most often to season mushrooms and artichokes. Because nepetella is difficult to source, many recipes that originally called for it have been adapted to use oregano and mint instead.
