Evan-Amos · Public domain
About
The genus *Mentha sp* is a highly aromatic group of perennial herbs, notable for its wide range of colors and forms, and its tendency to spread rapidly via runners. While the exact species distinction is difficult due to extensive hybridization, it is a popular genus for culinary and ornamental use.
Field notes
Morphology
The plants have erect, square, branched stems and wide-spreading underground and overground stolons. Leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, ranging from oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and typically have a serrated margin. Leaf colors vary widely, including dark green, gray-green, purple, blue, and pale yellow. Flowers are white to purple, produced in false whorls called verticillasters, and the fruit is a nutlet.
Distribution & habitat
The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution, found across Europe, Africa (including Southern Africa), Asia, Australia/Oceania, North America, and South America. They thrive best in wet environments and moist soils.
Ecology
Mints are utilized as food sources by the larvae of certain Lepidoptera species, such as buff ermine moths, and by various beetles, including the blue mint beetle and the mint leaf beetle.
Cultivation notes
Mints thrive near pools of water, lakes, and rivers, preferring cool, moist spots in partial shade, though they tolerate full sun. Because they are fast-growing and invasive, they should be planted in deep, bottomless containers or tubs to prevent them from taking over other plants.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
Crossed Mentha with another species?
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