The Herbarium at the University of Georgia Poisonous Plants of Georgia
The Herbarium of the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
Common Name:
Scientific Name:
Purple Mint Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.
Family:
 Lamiaceae
Click for scientific description
Click on the photos to enlarge images and read a scientific description.
This plant may be poisonous to both humans and animals. Please refer to the "Symptoms" section below for information regarding susceptiblity of animal species to poisoning.
Description:
 Purple mint is an ornamental escapee that is widely distributed in the southern and Midwestern U. S. In Asia, where the plant is native, it is used as a coloring dye and as a condiment for foods. Purple mint is an annual herb with opposite purple to green leaves and small white to lavender flowers. It blooms from August into October until the first frost.
Toxic Part: The entire plant is toxic.
Toxin: The primary toxic compound found in this plant is perilla ketone.
Symptoms: Purple mint is generally ignored by grazing livestock when other palatable grass is present for forage. Goats, sheep, cattle, horses, rats, and mice are susceptible to poisoning by perilla ketone. Clinical signs of intoxication include pulmonary edema and emphysema. In cattle perilla ketone is one cause of acute bovine pulmonary emphysema (ABPE) also known as cow asthma. Symptoms of ABPE are severely labored breathing, expiratory heave or grunt, and acute respiratory distress . Since ABPE has several causes it is difficult to discern an appropriate treatment option.
Treatment: Cattle should have limited access to the purple mint for forage.
References: 19, 110, 198
This site is NOT a substitute for the advice of medical physician. Plant poisonings can, in certain cases, result in SERIOUS HARM AND EVEN DEATH. Please contact a physician or your local poison control center if you suspect any plant poisoning. A link to the Georgia Poison Control Center can be found on the "References and Links" page of this site.