Mint

Mint or Mentha is a genus of plants in the family Lamiaceae. The exact number of species is uncertain due to the extensive natural hybridization among them. Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial herbs. They have wide-spreading underground and overground stolons and erect, square, branched stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and with a serrate margin.

Description

Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial, rarely annual, herbs. They have wide-spreading underground and overground stolons and erect, square, branched stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and with a serrate margin. Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue, and sometimes pale yellow.

Taxonomy

The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America. The species that make up the Mentha genus are widely distributed and can be found in many environments. Most grow best in wet environments and moist soils. Mints will grow 10–120 cm tall and can spread over an indeterminate area.

Uses

Mints are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Buff Ermine moths. Mints are widely used in traditional medicine and cosmetics for their aroma. They are also used in cooking and the manufacture of perfumes. The mint leaf, fresh or dried, is the culinary source of mint. Fresh mint is usually preferred over dried mint when storage of the mint is not a problem.

See also

• List of Lamiaceae genera
• Mentha
• Mentha spicata
• Mentha piperita

External links

• Britannica Mint

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