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Lamiaceae Taxonomy Browser
Mentha spicata L.
EOL Text
Herbs rhizomatous. Stems erect, 30-60 cm, purplish, glabrous. Leaves sessile or subsessile, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 2-3 × 1.2-2 cm, papery, base rounded to shallow cordate, margin serrate, apex acute. Verticillasters in terminal spikes 2.5-3 × ca. 1 cm, continuous or ± interrupted at base; bracts linear-lanceolate, slightly longer than calyx. Pedicel ca. 1 mm. Calyx campanulate, ca. 1.5 mm, subglabrous, glandular, obscurely 5-veined; teeth triangular-lanceolate, ca. 0.1 mm, ciliate. Corolla purplish, ca. 3.5 mm, glabrous, tube ca. 2 mm; lobes subequal, apex emarginate. Ovary brown, glabrous. Nutlets brown, triquetrous, ovoid, ca. 0.7 mm, sparsely glandular.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200019813 |
Canada
Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Mentha+spicata |
spicata: arranged in a spike.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings, Flora of Zimbabwe |
Source | http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/cult/species.php?species_id=165220 |
Habit: Herb
Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Mentha+spicata |
Among the various Mentha spp. (mints) and their hybrids, Spearmint makes one of the better-flavored mint teas. Spearmint flavoring is also used in chewing gum and other products; it has significant economic importance. Spearmint has been widely cultivated since ancient times, and was introduced to the British Isles by the Romans. Distinguishing the various mints and their hybrids is often rather difficult. Spearmint can be identified by its hairless stems and leaves, the lack of petioles on its leaves, the wrinkled appearance of its leaves, the pleasant mint fragrance of its leaves, and its terminal spikes of flowers. Other mints tend to be more hairy, their leaves usually have petioles and they are less wrinkled in appearance, their leaves may not have a pleasant mint fragrance, or their flowers may occur in axillary whorls above the leaves.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/spearmint.html |
Mentha spicata var. viridis Linnaeus; M. viridis (Linnaeus) Linnaeus.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200019821 |
Population
Population Trend
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/164464 |
This wildflower is a herbaceous perennial about 1-2' tall. The central stem and any lateral stems are light green to reddish green, 4-angled, and glabrous. Pairs of sessile opposite leaves occur along these stems. Individual leaves are 1-2½" long and ½-1½" across; they are lanceolate to ovate and dentate along their margins. The elongated teeth of the margins have narrow tips that bend toward the tip of each leaf blade. The upper surface of each leaf is medium green and glabrous; it has a
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/spearmint.html |
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
- Terrestrial
- Freshwater
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/164464 |