Identification help

Another identification question from me!

Does anyone know what this is? I thought I planted it but I'm starting to doubt myself now.

It hasn't flowered and it seems quite invasive. It's growing red shoots which go out into the soil rather than straight up (which I've tried to picture). I'm wondering whether it's a weed that I've left thinking it was a plant...

 

Sorry I can't help I'm sure someone will be along soon, the only thing it reminds me of, the way the roots are growing, is the mint family. Kind of looks as if it wants to take over the world. Then again, I know nothing. Hope you get an answer soon

 

You sure it isn't some type of herb?

 

It's a Labiate, not sure which one though.

 

Hi zigs, what's a labiate? Don't want to sound stupid but I've never heard the term

 

" Labiate " is a family of plants, mainly herbs containing Mint, Sage, Basil and Lavender.

I'd say yours was a variety of Mint.

 

Thanks everyone. I thought it looked like mint too. Maybe I am getting the hang of gardening after all! I've got two varieties of sage growing near it so they are sort of infecting the smell... I'll have a definitive sniff tomorrow in the daylight!

 

Sorry, mint family, if its got a square section stem then its probably in that family, think only Marjoram and Oregano have got round stems in that family. Name comes from the latin for lips, refering to the flowers, you might know the word Labia Think it's still used these days

 

I can report that it definitely smells herby! My other half tells me it smells like Basil. I think it smells quite lemony - though I know it's not lemon. I've just never smelt Basil before. Bit thick me!

 

I've now found the label for the plant - I did indeed plant it myself! It's Monarda Red Shades which I believe is also called Bee Balm and has leaves that smell of orange and spice. I think that sounds about right. There was definitely a citrus smell to the leaves. The only thing that makes me doubt it is that it hasn't flowered.

 

Maybe peppermint??? If rubbed leaves smell like your favourite chewing gum, dig it up. It will spread everywhere!!!

 

Hi this is a picture of Marjoram. Hope that helps.