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American Pennyroyal

Hedeoma pulegioides. Mint Family.

Stem.--Square; low; erect; branching. Leaves.--Opposite; aromatic; small. Flowers.--Purplish; small; whorled in the axils of the leaves. Calyx.--Two-lipped; upper lip three-toothed, the lower two-cleft. Corolla.--Two-lipped; upper erect, notched at apex, the lower spreading and three-cleft. Fertile stamens.--Two. Pistil.--One, with a two-lobed style. This well-known, strong-scented little plant is found throughout the greater part of the country, blossoming in midsummer. Its taste and odor nearly resemble that of the true pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium, of Europe.