Fields, vacant lots, roadsides, other disturbed areas, waste sites. Found in spring. In salad use sparingly. Found in summer near wet places, especially ditches, along streams, and wet meadows. Collect leaves at any stage on a dry day and dry on paper in a warm area.
Spearmint is a related edible species.
In summer along shores or in shallow water of lakes and ponds. Also found in slow moving streams and bays. Fruits each contain a solid seed, edible as a trail snack or dried and ground like grain. Woodland margins, disturbed sites, waste ground, roadsides, fence rows in spring. Boiled, peeled shoots may be pickled.