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Young World
Feline Popeye
Text and picture by S. THEODORE BASKARAN
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Cat eating greens? Well, this Indian nettle has cats drooling over it.
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Yummmm...I just love it
Have you ever seen a cat eat a plant with relish? If you have, then it probably is a plant called Indian nettle or kuppai meni in Tamil, which grows wild even in the cities. Its scientific name is Acalifa indica. If you can identify this plant, which looks like ordinary spinach, pluck it with the roots and offer it to your cat. The kitty will eat the root with relish. It would then roll on the leaves. But few seem to know what makes this plant attractive to cats.
The medicinal property of this plant has been known to Siddha medicine where it is called Poonai Vanangi (the plant adored by cats) and is used in potions for skin ailments. There are similar plants elsewhere also. In the Himalayas, above 3,000 metres, a bush plant called Jatamansi grows. It has hair-like roots and hence the name. And cats are fond of this plant too.
In Japan and in Western countries, where there are many cat-fanciers, the roots of a plant called Catnip, belonging to the mint family, is dried and sold.
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