Mentha spicata L.

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Comments:

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.

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Rights holder/AuthorCopyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty
Sourcehttp://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/spearmint.html

Synonym:

Mentha spicata var. viridis Linnaeus; M. viridis (Linnaeus) Linnaeus.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthoreFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden
Sourcehttp://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200019821

Population:

Population

This species is widespread and abundant throughout its known range, but classed as Vulnerable in Switzerland.There is no detailed information available on population size.

Population Trend

Stable
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Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/164464

Description:

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

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCopyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty
Sourcehttp://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/spearmint.html

Habitat and Ecology:

Habitat and Ecology

M. spicata typically occurs on the margins and banks of rivers, however it also occurs on waste ground and around settlements.

Systems

  • Terrestrial
  • Freshwater
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/164464

Threats:

Major Threats

There are no known past, ongoing or future threats to this species.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/164464

Miscellaneous Details:

"Notes: Cultivated in gardens, Native of Europe"

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Rights holder/Author"G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram", India Biodiversity Portal
Sourcehttp://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/266244

Range and Habitat in Illinois:

Spearmint is occasional in scattered localities throughout Illinois (see Distribution Map). Spearmint was introduced from Europe as a medicinal and culinary herb, but it has escaped from cultivation and naturalized in mainly disturbed habitats. These habitats include low areas along rivers, damp weedy meadows, roadside ditches, areas along the foundations of buildings, edges of yards, and vacant lots. Spearmint is often cultivated in gardens.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCopyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty
Sourcehttp://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/spearmint.html

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions

There are no conservation measures in place and none needed.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/164464

Range Description:

M. spicata has a very widespread distribution, but due to its long and close relationship with man, it is very hard to establish where it is native and where introduced. According to the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010), it is native to Europe east through Siberia and the Middle east to China. In Europe, it is native to most of the region except the Baltic states where it is absent and it is apparently introduced to Spain, Corsica, the Balearic Islands and the Crimean Peninsula. It has also apparently been introduced to Africa, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America, Madeira, the Azores and the Canaries.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/164464
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