Moluccella

Moluccella is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae, commonly known as false pennyroyal. The genus contains two accepted species, Moluccella laevigata and Moluccella itchieri, both native to the Himalaya region of Southwest China and the eastern Himalayas of Nepal and Bhutan. The plants are low‑growing herbaceous perennials, typically less than 30 centimetres tall, with aromatic, greyish leaves and spikes of white or pale pink flowers that cluster in dense, globular inflorescences. The flowers have a tubular corolla and are pollinated by insects attracted to their scent.

Moluccella species are cultivated as ornamental shrubs for their fragrance and their resistance to cold. They prefer well drained, moderately fertile soils and thrive in partial shade to full sun. The plants are drought tolerant once established but perform best with regular moisture during the growing season. They are generally free from serious pests and diseases, although occasional fungal problems can occur in overly wet conditions.

The essential oil of Moluccella itchieri, often called moluccan, contains the rare bicyclic monoterpene moluccanmyrtenol. Historically the oil was used in traditional medicine as a sedative, the drug that inspired its name. Modern pharmacological studies have investigated its potential anxiolytic and anti‑inflammatory effects, but clinical evidence remains limited. In the past, the plant was also used as a culinary garnish; however, it is now largely regarded as ornamental.

Cultivation information is available from several horticultural societies and seed catalogs. The genus is listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as a species of least concern, reflecting its stable populations in the wild.