It's almost certainly menthaea, but whether it's mentha or not, who knows. So many species, varieties, and hybrids. Then there's other genuses in Lamiacea, like oreganum (Oregano) that also fit.

This plant popped up in the middle of a path

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so a seedling.. or did you drop a small piece that rooted in???

so the further question would be ... or thought.. it must not have come true from seed ...

any idea what other mints you have around??

ken

Where are you? It's definitely a mint family plant, or a mentha mint. Interesting that it has a scent, but no taste? It looks interesting. I would keep it until it flowers. Once it does you might like it, and it might be something cool like Blephilia or something. 🤔😆

Thanks for the help, everyone! I’m in NY, and it very well could be Blephilia hirsuta. I have odd things pop up every few years — either from some fragment of root or bulb that was buried deep for decades, or from bird droppings. :)

It sorta looks like a chocolate mint. It also looks a bit like basil. It might be a hybrid. Why is it in a pot? Did you plant it?

It's not chocolate mint or basil. Certainly could be a hybrid. As my post said, it showed up in my veg garden and looked like mint so I potted it.