Toxic mint relative spotted growing wild in Eugene, Oregon
iNaturalist: peal25
Native Plants
If you've got a dog that likes to nibble roadside greenery, pennyroyal's pretty purple flowers hide an oil that can cause serious liver damage in pets even in small amounts.
Someone out walking in Eugene spotted and confirmed a patch of pennyroyal, a low-growing mint relative with tiny purple flowers and a strong minty smell. It looks harmless and even smells nice, but its essential oil is toxic to dogs, cats, and livestock if they eat enough of it. It's the kind of plant worth learning to recognize on walks, especially if you have curious pets or graze animals nearby.
Key Findings
Observation was verified as 'research-grade' on iNaturalist, meaning the identification was confirmed by the community
Location recorded as W Amazon Dr, Eugene, Oregon, indicating the plant is naturalized in that area
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is known to contain pulegone, a compound toxic to mammals in concentrated form
chevron_right Technical Summary
A naturalist confirmed a sighting of pennyroyal, a minty herb with a toxic side, growing along a roadside in Eugene, Oregon. It's a reminder that this pretty plant spreads easily and can poison pets or livestock if ingested in quantity.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) observed in W Amazon Dr, Eugene, OR, US
Research-grade observation of Pennyroyal in W Amazon Dr, Eugene, OR, US.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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