catmint

[ kat-mint ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. catnip.

catmint

/ ˈkætˌmɪnt /

noun

1. a Eurasian plant, Nepeta cataria, having spikes of purple-spotted white flowers and scented leaves of which cats are fond: family Lamiaeae (labiates) Also calledcatnip

Word History and Origins

Origin of catmint¹

1225–75; Middle English cattesminte equivalent to cattes, genitive of cat ( def ) + minte mint ¹

Example Sentences

By midday, they moved on to blue star amsonia, Little Trudy catmint, sea holly and pasqueflower, which bloomed early in the season and provided food to pollinators building their nests.

From Washington Post

I questioned Mom about the purple-blossomed plants waving in the breeze between us and the placid water of north Lake Union — catmint, she said, as a bee also investigated.

From Seattle Times

After flowering, catmint can be trimmed back by one-third or more to prevent flopping.

From Washington Post

Think swathes of catmint, field scabious and hyssop.

From The Guardian

Or grilled Manila clams with a rich green garlic emulsion under a blanket of bolted fava shoots and catmint flowers — a super-delicious meeting of garden and shore.

From Seattle Times