what plant is this?

The local extension agent is sofar baffled. I live in Kerrville, Texas. I thought it was some kind of mint at first, but was told no.

My first thought is salvia. Related to mint. To eliminate a mint, smell the leaves when rubbed.

If I am not mistaken, there appear to be flower buds forming at the top of the stalk. Should be easier to ID when in bloom.

Looks like Lemon Balm. Try crushing a leaf in your hand. Does it smell lemony? I just went out and picked a sprig and it looks a lot like your picture.

LOL ~ all three suggestions are in the same family. No doubt we are on the right track!

Offer your cat a leaf - my vote is catnip!

catnip

and more of the same family...

You may have to wait until it blooms--that should help narrow things down considerably.

If it's catnip all you need is a cat!

edit: It's the purple in the stems that gives it away.

post edit edit: Does it smell kinda "skunky" if you crush a leaf?

This message was edited May 11, 2010 3:28 AM

This message was edited May 11, 2010 3:30 AM

Looks like my pineapple sage. Crush a leaf and see if it smells like pineapple.

I'll take a closer look at mine tomorrow.

yes, pineapple sage - will have a pretty red flower - culinary use as well - attracts hummingbirds.

It looks so much like pinepple sage.

Looks a bit like lemon balm, but I think lemon balm leaves are more oval. Just picked a leaf to look at - neighbours must think I'm mad if they noticed me - it's dark in the UK at the moment!

county extension agent says its lantana!

lantana? dont look like my lantana looks like several mints i have or sages see what that bud does and know for sure

Doesn't look like my lantana either. I'm interested to know if you crushed a leave to see how it smelled?

need to smell the leaves

Yes, and still want to see a photo when it blooms...

I don't know what it is but that is most definitely not a Lantana.

Saw some Monarda at my local Horticultural Society plant sale - could be this.

Looks like bee's balm

I thought Monarda, also when I first saw it
Here it is...
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/119524/
Here's lantana, very similiar
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/8893/

The only way to tell them apart, rub the leaves if it has a scent it's Monarda

It looks a lot like Pineapple Sage, particularly one called "Golden Delicious", although the leaf color is a little different so it's probably not it. Here's the link:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/106853/

Just out of curiosity, are the stems square? If they are, then it is in the Mint family.

I, too, agree that if it blooms, it may help to solve the mystery.



This message was edited May 20, 2010 11:45 PM

The leaves on a lantana have a rough texture. I don't know about a Monarda, but most mints have a softer leaf.
Please keep us posted on the outcome of this; I want to know what it is.

My Pineapple Sage is the same color as the picture. It's not chartruse at all. I will try and take a pic of it.

Interesting... all the suggested IDs:

Salvia
Mint
Lemon Balm
Catnip
Pineapple Sage
Monarda / Bee Balm

All have similar characteristics and all related. I think we are on to something here...
DBurney, I do hope you post another photo when it blooms or tell us what a crushed leaves smells like or... anything.
Just don't keep us in suspense! lol

By the way, dburney, where did you get this plant?
If it just "popped" up in your yard there's most likely more of it around your area, somewhere.

It may not help with an I.D., but it means either someone around you knows what it is and possibly even planted it, or there may be others just as confused about the plant. Interesting, anyway.

I know you are getting lots of suggestions but I'm in agreement if you didn't buy this plant and it just came up on it's own it's most likely cat nip or cat mint. But there is also the possibility that a neighbor has the plant that it seeded itself from and I have a Korean Agastache that looks like that and I wouldn't put it past that mine has seeded over into my neighbors yard. It does reseed very well although the seeds aren't really light and airy they are more like poppy seeds only a bit bigger. Hey stranger things happen the wind could carry a seed over your way.

At first thought it looks like mint, but it could be Russian sage or purple salvia. It would have a purple spike coming from the center and should have a pungent smell.