Pennyroyal
CR

Pennyroyal

Mentha pulegium

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha_pulegium

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Pennyroyal faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural intensification and urban development, which has eliminated many of its traditional wetland and marshy habitats. The species is further threatened by drainage of seasonal pools and wet meadows, along with competition from invasive plant species that alter soil chemistry and moisture conditions.

Threat summary

Habitat

Pennyroyal occurs in wet meadows, seasonal pools, marshy areas, and damp grasslands, typically in areas with fluctuating water levels and moist, often sandy or clay soils. The species also inhabits stream margins, pond edges, and other freshwater wetland peripheries where water tables remain high during growing seasons.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Pennyroyal classified as Critically Endangered?
Pennyroyal is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Pennyroyal faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural intensification and urban development, which has eliminated many of its traditional wetland and marshy habitats. The species is further threatened by drainage of seasonal pools and wet meadows, along with competition from invasive plant species that alter soil chemistry and moisture conditions.
Where does Pennyroyal live?
Pennyroyal occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pennyroyal?
The main threats to Pennyroyal are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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