Michigan State: Researchers Discover Evolutionary Origins of Cat Attractant in Catmint
May 14, 2020
May 14, 2020
EAST LANSING, Michigan, May 14 -- Michigan State University issued the following news release:
Catmint, or catnip, is a flowering plant in the mint family belonging to the genus Nepeta Lamiaceae that is well-known for its intoxicating effect on cats. This "feline" phenomenon is caused by the volatile compound nepetalactone.
Interestingly, the main function of nepetalactones in Nepeta is not to attract cats, but to protect plants against herbivorous insects by . . .
Catmint, or catnip, is a flowering plant in the mint family belonging to the genus Nepeta Lamiaceae that is well-known for its intoxicating effect on cats. This "feline" phenomenon is caused by the volatile compound nepetalactone.
Interestingly, the main function of nepetalactones in Nepeta is not to attract cats, but to protect plants against herbivorous insects by . . .