Nepeta curviflora, commonly known as Syrian catnip, is a herbaceous flowering plant native to the Middle East. It was first described in 1844.[1]
| Nepeta curviflora | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Nepeta |
| Species: | N. curviflora
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| Binomial name | |
| Nepeta curviflora Webb & Berthel.
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editNepeta curviflora is a perennial chamaephyte reaching heights between 60 and 80 cm. The fine, silvery aromatic leaves are small and form in clumps.[2] The leaves are dentate. It will flower between April and June. The flowers are tubular and dark blue, appearing as verticillasters grouped on spikes. The fruit appears as nutlets.[3]
Distribution
editNepeta curviflora is native to the far eastern coastal regions of the Mediterranean, namely Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.[1] It inhabits Phrygana and Mediterranean woodlands, notably within the montane regions of Mount Hermon.[3]
Uses
editNepeta curviflora is occasionally seen in Horticulture, where it is sometimes mistaken with the similar appearing Nepeta italica. The two are differentiated by their flower colors, with N. italica presenting white while N. curviflora appears blue.[4]
Al-Tamimi, the physician (d. 990), mentions a Jewish custom of making wreaths from the boughs of a plant identified as Nepeta curviflora during the Jewish holiday of Shavu'ot. Although the location is not explicitly specified, scholars suggest that this tradition was practiced in the Jerusalem area, possibly as a Karaite rather than a rabbinic custom.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Nepeta curviflora Boiss. Plants of the World Online". www.plantsoftheworldonline.org. n.d. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ "Nepeta curviflora (Syrian Catnip)". rareplants.de. n.d. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ a b "Nepeta curviflora, Syrian Catnip, Hebrew: נפית כפופה, Arabic: "za'tar chachla"". flowersinisrael.com. n.d. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ "Nepeta curviflora – Syrian Catmint". plantstoplant.com. n.d. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Zohar Amar and Yaron Serri, The Land of Israel and Syria as Described by al-Tamimi – Jerusalem Physician of the 10th Century, Ramat-Gan 2004, p. 26 ISBN 965-226-252-8 (Hebrew)