About Teucrium marum L.
Teucrium marum L. has oval leaves that are broader at the base, downy on the underside, and have smooth, uncut margins. It retains its leaves year-round. In the northern hemisphere, its flowers bloom between July and September; they grow in one-sided spikes, and the corollas are crimson. When fresh leaves and young branches are rubbed, they give off a volatile, pungent, aromatic scent that triggers sneezing. Their taste is somewhat bitter, paired with a sensation of heat. Teucrium marum can survive winter outdoors in dry soil when grown in a favorable location and when frosts are not severe, but it is often killed during hard winters if not protected by mats or other covering. When grown in a mild climate, mature older plants can reach 3 to 4 feet in height. This plant produces effects on cats that are similar to the effects of catnip.
