[[File:Big leaf catnip 001.JPG|thumb|right|''Nepeta cataria'', ''Catmint'']]
Common '''catnip''' <ref name="catnip"/> , officially called '''Nepeta cataria''', is an herbacious perennial herb that is native to '''''Europe, Asia and Africa'''''. ... Nepetalactone is an essential oil found in the '''''stems''''' and '''''leaves of Nepeta cataria'''''. Catmint Cat[[Mint]] has distinctive aromatic qualities which are very attractive to cats that have the '''''“catnip gene.”'''''