Does Anyone Know What This Is? - perilla

It's growing on a slight slope that faces north in an area that gets full sun all day, and it's happily cohbitating with enough stinging nettle to supply tea to all of North America.

Perilla?

I don't have any experience growing this, but the purple veining makes me suspicious that it is. Does it have a minty/basil type odor when you crush the leaves?

No clue, but just looking at the form of the plants (leaves, arrangement, etc) it's something in the mint family. Unfortunately the mint family is quite large, so I know that doesn't help much lol.

Is it aromatic? Non-stinging? It might be shiso (Perilla), which I believe is an introduced Asian annual, used as greens or a condiment in various cuisines there. It can vary from pale green to dark purple in color.....

I also think perilla. It can take over, but propagates itself by seed so "chop and drop" early in the season works pretty well. It also pulls easily.

I'm also thinking perilla. Funny our perilla patch is growing alongside our stinging nettle patch as well. Personally, I don't care for the taste very much, but my husband likes it. I add it to salads and cooked greens on a regular basis.

It does have some toxicity issues especially at the flowering stage. Livestock usually avoid it. It's very invasive here choking out native and useful plants in the area in just a few years. I am leaving a bit here and there, but not much. If it's a new plant in your system I'd recommend keeping an eye on it.

It looks like you are all correct ... perilla fits. I don't know if it's a new plant since we just moved to this property a few weeks ago. It's spreading rapidly, though, so we'll have to get it under control. Too bad the critters don't like it.

Thanks, everyone!