Andalucia Life Fauna and Flora, Flowers of Andalucia Southern Spain

December 2006, Pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium

Taking advantage of the 'second spring' in one of the sheltered valleys in the Alcornocales was a creeping perennial member of the mint family, Pennyroyal. The first intimation was a sweet mint aroma coming from underfoot. The lilac flowers are normally, June to August, in dense clusters at intervals around the stem but this one was struggling to produce single flowers. It is differentiated from the rest of the mints by its almost smooth and more oval shaped leaves. You will find this plant in shady, damp places and along the edges of marshes anywhere away from the coast.