Mentha Mentha Species See text Mentha (mint) is a genus of about 25 species (and many hundreds of varieties [1] ) of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae (Mint Family). Species within Mentha have a subcosmopolitan distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, [2] Australia, and North America. Several mint hybrids commonly occur. Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial, rarely annual, herbs. They have wide-spreading underground rhizomes and erect, branched stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from simple oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and with a serrated margin. Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue and sometimes pale yellow. [2] The flowers are produced in clusters ('verticils') on an erect spike, white to purple, the corolla two-lipped with four subequal lobes, the upper lobe usually the largest. The fruit is a small dry capsule containing one to four seeds. While the species that make up the Mentha genus are widely distributed and can be found in many environments, many grow best in wet environments and moist soils.

Mints will grow 10–120 cm tall and can spread over an indeterminate sized area. Due to the tendency to spread unchecked, mints are considered invasive. [3] Contents 7 References Species This covers a selection of what are considered to be pure species of mints. As with all classifications of plants, this list can go out of date at a moment's notice. Listed here are accepted species names and common names (where available). Synonyms, along with cultivars and varieties (where available), are listed under the species. Mentha aquatica – Water mint, or Marsh mint Mentha arvensis – Corn Mint, Wild Mint, Japanese Peppermint, Field Mint Mentha asiatica - Asian Mint Mentha suaveolens – Apple mint , Pineapple mint (a variegated cultivar of Apple mint) Mentha vagans - Gray mint Selected hybrids The mint family has a large grouping of recognized hybrids. As with all classifications of plants, this list can go out of date at a moment's notice. Synonyms, along with cultivars and varieties where available, are included within the specific species. Mentha × gracilis - Ginger Mint Mentha × rotundifolia (M.

longifolia × M. suaveolens) - False Apple-mint Mentha × smithiana (M. aquatica × M. arvensis × M. spicata) - Red Raripila Mint Mentha × villosa (M. spicata × M. suaveolens; syn. M. cordifolia) - Apple-mint Mentha × villosonervata (M. longifolia × M. spicata) - Sharp-toothed Mint Cultivation All mints prefer, and thrive, in cool, moist spots in partial shade. [4] In general, mints tolerate a wide range of conditions, and can also be grown in full sun. They are fast growing, extending their reach along surfaces through a network of runners. Due to their speedy growth, one plant of each desired mint, along with a little care, will provide more than enough mint for home use. Some mint species are more invasive than others. Even with the less invasive mints, care should be taken when mixing any mint with any other plants, lest the mint take over.

To control mints in an open environment, mints should be planted in deep, bottomless containers sunk in the ground, or planted above ground in tubs and barrels. [4] Some mints can be propagated by seed. Growth from seed can be an unreliable method for raising mint for two reasons: mint seeds are highly variable, one might not end up with what one presupposed was planted [4] ; some mint varieties are sterile. It is more effective to take and plant cuttings from the runners of healthy mints. The most common and popular mints for cultivation are peppermint (Mentha × piperita), spearmint (Mentha spicata), and (more recently) pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens). Mints tend to make good companion plants, repelling pest insects and attracting beneficial ones.

The common mints, like spearmint and peppermint, are considered good to grow among tomato and pepper plants, where they enhance flavor, repel aphids, attract parasitic wasps to eat caterpillars, provide "living mulch" ground cover, etc.[citation needed] Chamomile is thought to make a good companion plant for mint, as well as increasing essential oil in mints, making them "stronger" in scent and flavor.[citation needed] Harvesting of mint leaves can be done at anytime. Fresh mint leaves should be used immediately or stored up to a couple of days in plastic bags within a refrigerator. Optionally, mint can be frozen in ice cube trays. Dried mint leaves should be stored in an airtight container placed in a cool, dark, dry area. [5] Uses Culinary The 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. The leaves have a pleasant warm, fresh, aromatic, sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste. Mint leaves are used in teas, beverages, jellies, syrups, candies, and ice creams.

In Middle Eastern cuisine mint is used on lamb dishes. In British cuisine, mint sauce is popular with lamb. Mint is a necessary ingredient in Touareg tea, a popular tea in northern African and Arab countries. Alcoholic drinks sometimes feature flavor of mint, namely the Mint Julep and the Mojito. Crème de menthe is a mint-flavored liqueur used in drinks such as the grasshopper. Mint essential oil and menthol are extensively used as flavorings in breath fresheners, drinks, antiseptic mouth rinses, toothpaste, chewing gum, desserts, and candies; see mint (candy) and mint chocolate. The substances that give the mints their characteristic aromas and flavors are menthol (the main aroma of Spearmint, Peppermint , and Japanese Peppermint) and pulegone (in Pennyroyal and Corsican Mint). Methyl salicylate , commonly called "oil of wintergreen", is often used as a mint flavoring for foods and candies due to its mint-like flavor. Mints are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Buff Ermine.

Medicinal and cosmetic Mint was originally used as a medicinal herb to treat stomach ache and chest pains. During the Middle Ages, powdered mint leaves were used to whiten teeth. Mint tea is a strong diuretic. Mint also aids digestion . Menthol from mint essential oil (40-90%) is an ingredient of many cosmetics and some perfumes. Menthol and mint essential oil are also much used in medicine as a component of many drugs, and are very popular in aromatherapy. A common use is as an antipruritic, especially in insect bite treatments (often along with camphor ). Menthol is also used in cigarettes as an additive, because it blocks out the bitter taste of tobacco and soothes the throat.[citation needed] Many people also believe the strong, sharp flavor and scent of Mint can be used as a mild decongestant for illnesses such as the common cold. In Rome, Pliny recommended that a wreath of mint was a good thing for students to wear since it was thought to "exhilarate their minds". Some modern research suggests that he was right.[citation needed] Insecticides Mint leaves are often used by many campers to repel mosquitoes.

It is also said that extracts from mint leaves have a particular mosquito-killing capability. Mint oil is also used as an environmentally-friendly insecticide for its ability to kill some common pests like wasps, hornets, ants and cockroaches. Diseases Main article: List of mint diseases Origin and usage of the word mint Mint descends from the Latin word mentha, which is rooted in the Greek word minthe, mentioned in Greek mythology as Minthe, a nymph who was transformed into a mint plant. The word itself probably derives from a now extinct pre-Greek language, see Pre-Greek substrate. [6] Mint leaves, without a qualifier like peppermint or apple mint, generally refers to spearmint leaves. In Central and South America, mint is known as hierbabuena (literally, "good herb"). In Lusophone countries, especially in Brazil, mint species are popularly known as "Hortelã". In the Hindi and Urdu languages it is called Pudeena. The taxonomic family Lamiaceae is known as the mint family. It includes many other aromatic herbs, including most of the more common cooking herbs, including basil , rosemary , sage , oregano and catnip .

As an English colloquial term, mint stands for any small sugar confectionery item flavored to taste like the aforementioned plant. [1] In common usage, several other plants with fragrant leaves may be erroneously called a mint. Vietnamese Mint , commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine, is not a member of the mint family (taxonomic family Lamiaceae). Slang In the south west of the United Kingdom, used adjectivally, the word can be used as a term of approbation or to express delight, as in "tha's mint, tha' is...". It is also used in New Zealand and Canada with the same meaning, but usually as an exclamation, as in 'mint!'.[citation needed] References Davidson, Alan (1999). The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 508. ISBN 0-19-211579-0. Brickell, Christopher; Zuk, Judith D. (1997). The American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. New York, NY, USA: DK Publishing, Inc., 668.

ISBN 0-7894-1943-2. ^ Brickell, Christopher; Trevor Cole (2002). The American Horticultural Society: Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers. New York, NY, USA: DK Publishing, Inc., 605. ISBN 0-7894-8993-7. Bradley, Fern (1992). Rodale's All-new Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. Emmaus, Pennsylvania, USA: Rodale Press, 390. ISBN 0-87857-999-0. Ortiz, Elisabeth (1992). The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices & Flavorings. London: Dorling Kindersley, 36-37. ISBN 1-56458-065-2. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (1947-). CRC World dictionary of plant names: Common names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Sonyonyms, and Etymology. CRC Press, 1658. Mentha - Gardenology.org - Plant Encyclopedia and Gardening wiki var.

, Mentha (mint) is a genus of about 25 species (and many hundreds of varieties [1] ) of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae (Mint Family). Species within Mentha have a wide distribution around the world due to its usefulness. Several mint hybrids commonly occur. Mints are aromatic, almost all perennial , rarely annual , herbs . They have wide-spreading underground rhizomes (roots) and erect, branched stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from simple oblong to lanceolate , often downy, and with a serrated margin. Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue and sometimes pale yellow. [2] The flowers are produced in clusters ('verticils') on an erect spike, white to purple, the corolla two-lipped with four subequal lobes, the upper lobe usually the largest. The fruit is a small dry capsule containing one to four seeds . While the species that make up the Mentha genus are widely distributed and can be found in many environments, many grow best in wet environments and moist soils. Mints will grow 10–120 cm tall and can spread over an indeterminate sized area.

Due to the tendency to spread unchecked, mints are considered invasive . [3] Species This covers a selection of what are considered to be pure species of mints. As with all classifications of plants, this list can go out of date at a moment's notice. Listed here are accepted species names and common names (where available). Synonyms, along with cultivars and varieties (where available), are listed under the species. Mentha × rotundifolia (M. longifolia × M. suaveolens) - False Apple-mint Mentha × smithiana (M. aquatica × M. arvensis × M. spicata) - Red Raripila Mint Mentha × villosa (M. spicata × M. suaveolens) - Also called Mentha nemorosa, large apple mint, foxtail mint, hairy mint, woolly mint, Cuban mint, mojito mint, and is known as Yerba Buena in Cuba. Mentha × villosonervata (M. longifolia × M. spicata) - Sharp-toothed Mint Cultivation Mentha x gracilis and M. rotundifolia.

The steel ring is to control the spread of the plant. All mints prefer, and thrive, in cool, moist spots in partial shade. [4] In general, mints tolerate a wide range of conditions, and can also be grown in full sun. They are fast growing, extending their reach along surfaces through a network of runners . Due to their speedy growth, one plant of each desired mint, along with a little care, will provide more than enough mint for home use. Some mint species are more invasive than others. Even with the less invasive mints, care should be taken when mixing any mint with any other plants, lest the mint take over. To control mints in an open environment, mints should be planted in deep, bottomless containers sunk in the ground, or planted above ground in tubs and barrels. [4] The most common and popular mints for cultivation are peppermint (Mentha × piperita), spearmint (Mentha spicata), and (more recently) apple mint (Mentha suaveolens). Mints are supposed to make good companion plants , repelling pest insects and attracting beneficial ones. Propagation Some mints can be propagated by seed.

Growth from seed can be an unreliable method for raising mint for two reasons: mint seeds are highly variable, one might not end up with what one presupposed was planted [4] ; some mint varieties are sterile. It is more effective to take and plant cuttings from the runners of healthy mints. Pests and diseases Main article: List of mint diseases Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture Mentha (from the Greek name of the nymph Minthe). Labiatae. Mint. Strong-scented perennial herbs; grown mostly for their essential oils but sometimes for ornament. The term mint, often applied to various species of Labiatae, is most frequently used to designate plants of the genus Mentha. This genus is characterized by its square sts. and opposite simple lvs. in common with others of the family, and especially by its aromatic fragrance, its small purple, pink or white fls., with mostly regular 10-nerved calyx, slightly irregular 4-cleft corolla and 4 anther-bearing stamens, crowded in axillary whorls and the whorls often in terminal spikes; ovary 4-parted, style 2-cleft: nutlets ovoid and smooth.

—Many forms have been described, and the synonymy is extensive. About 30 species are now recognized, all native in the North Temperate Zone, about half of them being native or naturalized in N. Amer. Six species are cult. more or less for the production of aromatic essential oil, which is found in all parts of the herb, and especially in minute globules on the surface of the lvs. and calyx. Some of the species hybridize freely, producing innumerable intergrading forms which make the limitation of certain species difficult. The mints are scarcely horticultural subjects, although M. rotundifolia and M. Pulegium, as well as the little M. Requienii, may be used as border plants or ground-covers and for the ornamental foliage of some of the forms. They propagate readily by cuttings and division; some of them produce stolons. Culture of mints for oil. Peppermint, the most prominent economic species of mint, ranks as one of the most important of all plants in the production of essential oils.

It was originally native in Great Britain and possibly in continental Europe, but is now widely naturalized, growing in many places on both continents like a native plant. There is no record of it in America previous to its introduction to Connecticut in the early part of the eighteenth century. From there it was taken to western New York and to the Western Reserve in Ohio, and in 1835 "roots" were taken from Ohio to Pigeon Prairie, in Michigan, where the industry has grown to larger proportions than anywhere else. Peppermint is now cultivated commercially in southwestern Michigan and adjacent parts of northern Indiana, Wayne county, New York, and in Mitcham, Surrey and Lincolnshire, England, and in Saxony. Peppermint plants may be grown on any land that will produce good crops of corn, but its cultivation is most profitable on muck soils of reclaimed swamps. It is an exhaustive crop, and on uplands is rarely included in the rotation more often than once in five years. On deep, rich muck soils it is often grown consecutively for 6 years or more with no apparent diminution in. yield.

Peppermint is propagated by pieces of running root-stocks, commonly called "roots." These are planted, as early in spring as the ground can be prepared, in furrows 30 inches apart. On uplands two or three crops are usually grown from one setting of the "roots," but in the swamp lands the runners are plowed under after harvest, continuing the crop indefinitely. Clean cultivation is required between the rows, and often it is necessary to hoe the plants or pull weeds by hand, especially on land that has not been well prepared. Fire- weed, horseweed, ragweed and other species with bitter or aromatic properties are very injurious to the oil if cut and distilled with the peppermint. The crop is cut either with scythe or mowing-machine in August or early September, when the earliest flowers are developed and before the leaves have fallen. In long, favorable seasons a second crop is sometimes harvested early in November. After cutting, the plants are cured like hay, then raked into windrows and taken to the stills, where the oil is extracted by distillation with steam. A "mint still" (Fig.

2360) usually consists of two retorts (used alternately), wooden or galvanized iron tubs about 7 feet deep and 6 feet in diameter at the top, each with a perforated false bottom and a tight-fitting, removable cover, a condenser of nearly 200 feet of block-tin pipe immersed in tanks of cold water, or more frequently arranged in perpendicular tiers over which cold water runs, a boiler to furnish steam and a receiver or tin can with compartments in which the oil separates by gravity. The yield of oil varies from ten to sixty pounds to the acre, averaging about twenty-five pounds for black mint, the variety now generally grown. Three kinds of peppermint are recognized: (1) American mint, "state mint" of New York (M. piperita), long cultivated in this country and occasionally naturalized; (2) black mint, or black mitcham (M. piperita var. vulgaris), a more productive variety introduced from England about 1889, and (3) white mint, or white mitcham (M. piperita var.

officinalis), less productive and too tender for profitable cultivation, but yielding a very superior grade of oil. Peppermint oil is used in confectionery, very extensively in medicines, and for the production of menthol, or more properly pipmenthol. Pipmenthol differs in physical properties from menthol derived from Japanese mint. Japanese mint, secured from M. arvensis var. piperascens, is cultivated in northern Japan, chiefly on the island of Hondo; not known in the wild state. It has been introduced experimentally in cultivation in England and the United States, but has not been cultivated commercially in these countries. Its oil is inferior in quality to that of Mentha piperita, but it contains a higher percentage of crystallizable menthol, of which it was the original source and for the production of which it is largely used. It is propagated by rootstocks carefully transplanted and cultivated by hand labor. Two crops, rarely three, are obtained in a season, and by abundant fertilizing and intensive culture large yields are obtained. It is usually continued three years from one planting, and then a rotation of other crops follow for three to six years.

Three horticultural varieties are recognized, being distinguished chiefly by form of leaf and color of stem. The variety known as "Akakuki," with reddish purple stem and broad, obtuse leaves, is regarded as best. Spearmint is cultivated on peppermint farms for the production of oil. The plants are propagated and cultivated similar to peppermint and distilled in the same stills. The oil, for which there is a smaller demand than for peppermint, is used chiefly in medicine and to some extent as a flavoring ingredient in chewing-gum and drinks. Spearmint is cultivated in the vicinity of many large cities to supply saloons, where freshly cut sprigs of the plant are used in making the seductive and intoxicating drink known as "mint julep." The plant is more widely known as an ingredient in "mint sauce," the familiar accompaniment of spring lamb and green peas. To supply this demand it is often cultivated in the kitchen- garden. It is easily propagated by the perennial root- stocks, and persists year after year with little care, thriving in nearly all kinds of soil, providing it does not become too dry. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture .

It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text. References w:Mentha . Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license. Mentha requienii - Plant Finder Plant Finder Native Range: Corsica, Italy, Sardinia Zone: 6 to 9 Height: 0.00 to 0.25 feet Spread: 0.50 to 1.00 feet Bloom Time: June to August Bloom Description: Lilac Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize Flower: Showy Garden locations Culture Best grown in rich, light, moist but well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Tolerates shady garden areas. Adapts to a wide range of soils except dry ones. Intolerant of drought. Tolerates limited foot traffic. Starter plants are typically planted 6-10" apart. Propagation is usually done by division. Freely self-seeds in optimum growing conditions.

Plants are winter hardy to USDA Zone 6, but may be grown as annuals north of Zone 6 with plants continuing to appear in the garden for several years by self-seeding. Noteworthy Characteristics Mentha requienii, commonly called Corsican mint or creeping mint, is a miniature mat-forming plant that typically grows to only 1/2" to 1" tall but spreads by thread-like stems which creep along the ground rooting as they go to 12" wide or more to form a dense flat diminutive ground cover. It is particularly effective as an aromatic filler growing around stepping stones where light foot traffic will release a pleasing mint/sage aroma. Leaves are evergreen in mild winter climates but not in St. Louis. This mint is native to the Islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Montecristo. Tiny round green leaves (to 1/8" across) have a strong aroma when bruised. Leaves are the source of the flavoring in creme-de-menthe. Tiny minute lilac flowers bloom from the leaf axils in summer (late June -August). Flowers are so small they are often not seen.

Genus name comes from Minthe or Menthe, a water nymph in Greek mythology, who was transformed by Persephone into a mint plant in revenge for Minthe's ongoing affair with Hades (husband of Persephone). Specific epithet honors Esprit Requien (1788-1851), naturalist and student of the flora of southern France and Corsica. Problems No serious insect or disease problems. Can be somewhat invasive but is usually easy to control. Garden Uses Plant between paving/stepping stones or patio blocks in moist part-shade areas. Herb gardens. Rock gardens. Containers (especially when it drapes over the side of the container). Leaves may be used to flavor teas, in salads, in cooked foods or as a garnish. Mentha Mentha Species See text Mentha (mint) is a genus of about 25 species (and many hundreds of varieties) of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae (Mint Family). Species within Mentha have a subcosmopolitan distribution across Europe , Africa , Asia , Australia , and North America . Several mint hybrids commonly occur. Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial, rarely annual, herbs.

They have wide-spreading underground rhizomes and erect, branched stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from simple oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and with a serrated margin. Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue and sometimes pale yellow. The flowers are produced in clusters ('verticils') on an erect spike, white to purple, the corolla two-lipped with four subequal lobes, the upper lobe usually the largest. The fruit is a small dry capsule containing one to four seeds . While the species that make up the Mentha genus are widely distributed and can be found in many environments, many grow best in wet environments and moist soils. Mints will grow 10–120 cm tall and can spread over an indeterminate sized area. Due to the tendency to spread unchecked, mints are considered invasive . Species This covers a selection of what are considered to be pure species of mints. As with all classifications of plants, this list can go out of date at a moment's notice. Listed here are accepted species names and common names (where available). Synonyms, along with cultivars and varieties (where available), are listed under the species.

Mentha aquatica – Water mint, or Marsh mint Mentha arvensis – Corn Mint, Wild Mint, Japanese Peppermint, Field Mint Mentha asiatica - Asian Mint Mentha nemorosa - large apple mint, foxtail mint, hairy mint, woolly mint, Cuban mint Mentha pulegium – Pennyroyal Mentha spicata – Spearmint, Curly mint Mentha suaveolens – Apple mint, Pineapple mint (a variegated cultivar of Apple mint) Mentha vagans - Gray mint Selected hybrids The mint family has a large grouping of recognized hybrids. As with all classifications of plants, this list can go out of date at a moment's notice. Synonyms, along with cultivars and varieties where available, are included within the specific species. Mentha × gracilis - Ginger Mint Mentha × rotundifolia (M. longifolia × M. suaveolens) - False Apple-mint Mentha × smithiana (M. aquatica × M. arvensis × M. spicata) - Red Raripila Mint Mentha × villosa (M. spicata × M. suaveolens; syn.

M. cordifolia) - Apple-mint Mentha × villosonervata (M. longifolia × M. spicata) - Sharp-toothed Mint Cultivation Mentha x gracilis and M. rotundifolia. The steel ring is to control the spread of the plant. All mints prefer, and thrive, in cool, moist spots in partial shade. In general, mints tolerate a wide range of conditions, and can also be grown in full sun. They are fast growing, extending their reach along surfaces through a network of runners. Due to their speedy growth, one plant of each desired mint, along with a little care, will provide more than enough mint for home use. Some mint species are more invasive than others. Even with the less invasive mints, care should be taken when mixing any mint with any other plants, lest the mint take over. To control mints in an open environment, mints should be planted in deep, bottomless containers sunk in the ground, or planted above ground in tubs and barrels. Some mints can be propagated by seed.

Growth from seed can be an unreliable method for raising mint for two reasons: mint seeds are highly variable, one might not end up with what one presupposed was planted; some mint varieties are sterile. It is more effective to take and plant cuttings from the runners of healthy mints. The most common and popular mints for cultivation are peppermint (Mentha × piperita), spearmint (Mentha spicata), and (more recently) apple mint (Mentha suaveolens). Mints are supposed to make good companion plants, repelling pest insects and attracting beneficial ones. Harvesting of mint leaves can be done at anytime. Fresh mint leaves should be used immediately or stored up to a couple of days in plastic bags within a refrigerator. Optionally, mint can be frozen in ice cube trays. Dried mint leaves should be stored in an airtight container placed in a cool, dark, dry area. Uses Culinary A jar of mint jelly. Mint jelly is a traditional condiment served with lamb dishes. The 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.

The leaves have a pleasant warm, fresh, aromatic, sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste. Mint leaves are used in teas, beverages, jellies, syrups, candies, and ice creams. In Middle Eastern cuisine mint is used on lamb dishes. In British cuisine, mint sauce is popular with lamb. Indian called pudina. Mint is a necessary ingredient in Touareg tea, a popular tea in northern African and Arab countries. Alcoholic drinks sometimes feature flavor of mint, namely the Mint Julep and the Mojito. Crème de menthe is a mint-flavored liqueur used in drinks such as the grasshopper. Mint essential oil and menthol are extensively used as flavorings in breath fresheners, drinks, antiseptic mouth rinses, toothpaste, chewing gum, desserts, and candies; see mint (candy) and mint chocolate. The substances that give the mints their characteristic aromas and flavours are menthol (the main aroma of Peppermint, and Japanese Peppermint) and pulegone (in Pennyroyal and Corsican Mint). The compound primarily responsible for the aroma and flavor of spearmint is R- carvone.

Methyl salicylate, commonly called "oil of wintergreen", is often used as a mint flavoring for foods and candies due to its mint-like flavor. Mints are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Buff Ermine. Medicinal and cosmetic Mint was originally used as a medicinal herb to treat stomach ache and chest pains. To cure stomach aches, put dried mint leaves in boiling water, then, when it cools drink it. This tea is called monstranzo. During the Middle Ages , powdered mint leaves were used to whiten teeth. Mint tea is a strong diuretic. Mint also aids digestion. Menthol from mint essential oil (40-90%) is an ingredient of many cosmetics and some perfumes. Menthol and mint essential oil are also much used in medicine as a component of many drugs, and are very popular in aromatherapy. A common use is as an antipruritic, especially in insect bite treatments (often along with camphor). Menthol is also used in cigarettes as an additive, because it blocks out the bitter taste of tobacco and soothes the throat.

Many people also believe the strong, sharp flavor and scent of Mint can be used as a mild decongestant for illnesses such as the common cold . In Rome, Pliny recommended that a wreath of mint was a good thing for students to wear since it was thought to "exhilarate their minds". Some modern research suggests that he was right. Insecticides Mint leaves are often used by many campers to repel mosquitoes. It is also said that extracts from mint leaves have a particular mosquito-killing capability. Mint oil is also used as an environmentally-friendly insecticide for its ability to kill some common pests like wasps, hornets, ants and cockroaches. Diseases Origin and usage of the word mint Mint descends from the Latin word mentha, which is rooted in the Greek word minthe, mentioned in Greek mythology as Minthe, a nymph who was transformed into a mint plant. The word itself probably derives from a now extinct pre-Greek language, see Pre-Greek substrate. Mint leaves, without a qualifier like peppermint or apple mint, generally refers to spearmint leaves. In Central and South America , mint is known as hierbabuena (literally, "good herb").

In Lusophone countries, especially in Brazil , mint species are popularly known as " Hortelã". In the Hindi and Urdu languages it is called Pudeena. The taxonomic family Lamiaceae is known as the mint family. It includes many other aromatic herbs, including most of the more common cooking herbs, including basil , rosemary , sage , oregano and catnip. As an English colloquial term, any small mint-flavored confectionery item can be called a mint. In common usage, several other plants with fragrant leaves may be erroneously called a mint. Vietnamese Mint, commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine, is not a member of the mint family (taxonomic family Lamiaceae). Retrieved from " " This Wikipedia DVD Selection is sponsored by SOS Children , and is mainly selected from the English Wikipedia with only minor checks and changes (see for details of authors and sources). The articles are available under the Plants - 6 | Britannica.com Plants Plantae any multicellular eukaryotic life form characterized by (1) photosynthetic nutrition (a characteristic possessed by all plants except some parasitic plants and underground orchids), in which chemical...

Browse Subcategories: (64) Displaying 401 - 500 of 800 results kenaf (species Hibiscus cannabinus), fast-growing plant of the hibiscus, or mallow, family (Malvaceae) and its fibre, one of the bast fibre group. It is used mainly as a jute substitute. The plant grows wild in Africa, where the fibre is sometimes known as... Kerguelen cabbage Pringlea antiscorbutica plant resembling the common cabbage and belonging to the same family (Brassicaceae), named for the Kerguelen Islands, where it was discovered. The sole member of its genus, Kerguelen cabbage inhabits only a few, remote islands... Kidston, Robert English paleobotanist, noted for his discoveries and descriptions of plant fossils from the Devonian Period (about 416 million to 359 million years ago). Kidston studied botany at the University of Edinburgh, and in 1880 he became honorary paleobotanist... Knowlton, Frank Hall U.S.

paleobotanist and pioneer in the study of prehistoric climates based on geologic evidence, who discovered much about the distribution and structure of fossilized plants. He was professor of botany at the Columbian (now George Washington) University,... kola nut caffeine-containing nut of Cola acuminata and Cola nitida, trees of the cocoa family (Sterculiaceae) native to tropical Africa and cultivated extensively in the American tropics. The evergreen tree grows to 18.3 metres (60 feet) and resembles the chestnut.... Kölreuter, Josef Gottlieb German botanist who was a pioneer in the study of plant hybrids. He was first to develop a scientific application of the discovery, made in 1694 by the German botanist Rudolph Jacob Camerarius, of sex in plants. Kölreuter was educated at the universities... kudzu vine Pueraria montana twining perennial vine of the pea family (Fabaceae). Kudzu is native to China and Japan, where it has long been grown for its edible starchy roots and for a fibre made from its stems. The kudzu vine is a useful fodder crop for livestock...

kumquat Fortunella genus of evergreen shrubs or trees of the family Rutaceae, grown for their tart fruits. Native to eastern Asia, these small trees are cultivated throughout the subtropics. Kumquat fruits may be eaten fresh, or they may be preserved and made... lady’s slipper any member of several genera of orchids, family Orchidaceae, in which the lip of the flower is slipper-shaped. The genus Cypripedium has about 50 temperate and subtropical species. One well-known species is the yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium calceolus);... Lamiaceae the mint family of flowering plants, with 236 genera and more than 7,000 species, the largest family of the order Lamiales. Lamiaceae is distributed nearly worldwide, and many species are cultivated for their fragrant leaves and attractive flowers. The... Lamiales mint order of flowering plants, including 24 families, 1,059 genera, and more than 23,800 species.

The main families in the order are Lamiaceae, Verbenaceae, Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Orobanchaceae, Acanthaceae, Gesneriaceae, Bignoniaceae, Oleaceae,... larch Larix any of about 10 to 12 species of coniferous trees constituting the genus Larix of the family Pinaceae, native to cool temperate and subarctic parts of the Northern Hemisphere. One species, Larix griffithii, is found only in the Himalayas. A larch... Laurales the laurel order of flowering plants, containing 7 families, 91 genera, and about 2,900 species. Members of Laurales are trees, shrubs, or woody vines. Most are found in tropical or warm temperate climates, and they are especially abundant in regions... lavender Lavandula genus of about 30 species of the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to countries bordering the Mediterranean. Lavender species are common in herb gardens for their fragrant leaves and attractive flowers. The plants are widely cultivated for their...

leafy liverwort any of numerous species of liverworts (class Hepatopsida), generally of the order Jungermanniales, in which the plant body is prostrate and extends horizontally in leaflike form with an upper and lower surface. About three-quarters of all liverworts... leek Allium porrum hardy biennial plant of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), grown as a vegetable. The leek is an ancient crop and is native to eastern Mediterranean lands and the Middle East. The plant is related to the onion and has a mild, sweet,... lemon Citrus × limon small tree or spreading bush of the rue family (Rutaceae) and its edible fruit. Lemon juice is a characteristic ingredient in many pastries and desserts, such as tarts and the traditional American lemon meringue pie. The distinctive astringent... Lennooideae the sand food subfamily of the family Boraginaceae, composed of two genera and four species of parasitic plants. The unusual plants inhabit desert regions in Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, and the southwestern United States, and many are considered rare....

lentil Lens culinaris small annual legume of the pea family (Leguminosae) and its lens-shaped edible seed, which is rich in protein and one of the most ancient of cultivated foods. Of unknown origin, the lentil is widely cultivated throughout Europe, Asia,... Lepidodendron extinct genus of tree -sized lycopsid plants that lived during the Carboniferous Period (about 359 million to 299 million years ago). Lepidodendron and its relatives— Lepidophloios, Bothrodendron, and Paralycopodites —were related to modern club mosses.... lespedeza Lespedeza genus of about 40 species of plants in the pea family (Fabaceae). All lespedezas are adapted to warm humid climates and are native to North America, tropical and East Asia, and Australia. A number of species are useful as forage and green manure... lettuce Lactuca sativa cultivated annual salad plant, probably derived from the prickly lettuce (L. scariola) of the family Asteraceae.

Four botanical varieties of lettuce are cultivated: (1) asparagus lettuce (variety asparag ina), with narrow leaves and a... liana any long-stemmed, woody vine that is rooted in the soil and climbs or twines around other plants. They are a conspicuous component of tropical forest ecosystems and represent one of the most important structural differences between tropical and temperate... licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra perennial herb of the pea family (Fabaceae), and the flavouring, confection, and folk medicine made from its roots. Licorice is similar to anise (Pimpinella anisum) in flavour; both plants are somewhat sweet and slightly bitter. The... lignum vitae Guaiacum any of several trees in the family Zygophyllaceae (order Zygophyllales), particularly Guaiacum officinale, native to the New World tropics. G. officinale occurs from the southern United States to northern South America. It grows about 9 metres... lilac any of about 25 species of fragrant and beautiful northern spring-flowering garden shrubs and small trees constituting the genus Syringa of the family Oleaceae.

Lilacs are native to eastern Europe and temperate Asia. Their deep green leaves enhance the... Liliales the lily order of monocotyledonous flowering plants, containing 11 families, 67 genera, and 1,558 species of largely perennial herbs and climbers. Members of this order are important as sources of food, in the production of drugs and chemicals, and especially... lily the common name applied to herbaceous flowering plants belonging to the genus Lilium of the family Liliaceae. The genus contains between 80 and 100 species, native to the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Lilies are prized as ornamental plants,... lime any of several species and hybrids of trees and shrubs in the rue family (Rutaceae), widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas for their edible acidic fruits. The Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia) is one of the most common commercial varieties,... linden any of several trees of the genus Tilia of the hibiscus, or mallow, family (Malvaceae), native to the Northern Hemisphere. Of the approximately 30 species, a few are outstanding as ornamental and shade trees.

They are among the most graceful of deciduous... Lindley, John British botanist whose attempts to formulate a natural system of plant classification greatly aided the transition from the artificial (considering the characters of single parts) to the natural system (considering all characters of a plant). In 1819... Linnaeus, Carolus Swedish naturalist and explorer who was the first to frame principles for defining natural genera and species of organisms and to create a uniform system for naming them (binomial nomenclature). Early life and travels Linnaeus was the son of a curate... live oak any of several species of North American ornamental and timber trees belonging to the red oak group of the genus Quercus in the beech family (Fagaceae). Specifically, the term refers to the southern live oak (Quercus virginiana), a massive evergreen... liverwort Marchantiophyta any of more than 9,000 species of small nonvascular spore -producing plants. Liverworts are distributed worldwide, though most commonly in the tropics. Thallose liverworts, which are branching and ribbonlike, grow commonly on moist soil...

Loasaceae mostly tropical American plant family of 14 genera and 265 species of the dogwood order (Cornales), many with painfully stinging hairs but beautiful and often bizarre flowers in red, orange, yellow, or white. The plants are frequently twining and mostly... Loganiaceae family of flowering plants in the order Gentianales, containing 13 genera with more than 400 species of woody vines, shrubs, or trees native primarily to tropical areas of the world. Members of the family bear leaflike appendages at the base of the leafstalks... loofah Luffa genus of seven species of annual climbing vines of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to the Old World tropics. Two species (Luffa acutangula and L. aegyptiaca) are commonly cultivated for their fruits, which are edible when young and have... loosestrife any of the ornamental plants of the family Lythraceae, especially the genera Lythrum and Decodon, and Lysimachia of the family Myrsinaceae.

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), native to Eurasia and now common in eastern North America, grows 0.6 to... loquat Eriobotrya japonica subtropical tree of the rose family (Rosaceae), grown for its evergreen foliage and edible fruit. The loquat is native to central eastern China. It was introduced to Japan more than 1,000 years ago, where it was developed horticulturally... Loranthaceae one of the mistletoe families of the sandalwood order (Santalales), having approximately 65 genera and about 850 species of parasitic flowering trees or shrubs. Some authorities also consider the 11 genera and about 450 species of the family Viscaceae,... lotus any of several different plants. The lotus of the Greeks was the species Ziziphus lotus of the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae), a bush native to southern Europe. It has large fruits containing a mealy substance that can be used for making bread and fermented...

love grass Eragrostis genus of about 350 species of tufted annual and perennial grasses in the family Poaceae. Love grasses are native to tropical and temperate regions of the world, and several are cultivated as forage or as ornamentals. Love grasses are typically... lower vascular plant any of the spore-bearing vascular plants, including the ferns, club mosses, spike mosses, quillworts, horsetails, and whisk ferns. Once considered of the same evolutionary line, these plants were formerly placed in the single group Pteridophyta and were... lupine Lupinus genus of about 200 species of herbaceous and partly woody plants in the pea family (Fabaceae). Lupines are widely distributed in the Mediterranean area but are especially numerous on the prairies of western North America. Many are grown as ornamentals,... lychee Litchi chinensis a tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), grown for its edible fruit. Lychee is native to Southeast Asia and has been a favourite fruit of the Cantonese since ancient times. Its introduction into the Western world came when it reached...

lycophyte (division Lycopodiophyta or Lycophyta), any spore-bearing vascular plant that is one of the club mosses and their allies, living and fossil. Present-day lycophytes are grouped in 6 genera (some botanists divide them into 15 or more): Huperzia, Lycopodiella,... macadamia (Macadamia), any of about 10 species of ornamental evergreen tree belonging to the family Proteaceae, producing an edible, richly flavoured dessert nut. Macadamias originated in the coastal rain forests and scrubs of what is now Queensland in northeastern... madder Rubia genus of about 80 species of perennial plants in the madder family (Rubiaceae), several of which were once commonly used as a source of dye. Madder species are distributed throughout the Mediterranean region, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The... magnolia Magnolia any member of the genus Magnolia (family Magnoliaceae; order Magnoliales), about 240 species of trees and shrubs native to North and South America, the Himalayas, and East Asia.

They are valued for their large and fragrant white, yellow, pink,... Magnoliaceae magnolia family of the order Magnoliales that contains at least two genera and nearly 250 species, including many handsome, fragrant-flowering trees and shrubs. Most have simple leaves and an elongated conelike floral axis with flowers that have six... Magnoliales the magnolia order of flowering plants, consisting of 5 families, 154 genera, and about 3,000 species. Members of Magnoliales include woody shrubs, climbers, and trees. Along with the orders Laurales, Piperales, and Canellales, Magnoliales forms the... Magnoliidae subclass of woody or herbaceous flowering plants belonging to the class Magnoliopsida. Members of the Magnoliidae are dicotyledonous plants that retain some primitive anatomic and morphological characteristics and are not closely related to more advanced... mallow any of several flowering plants in the hibiscus, or mallow, family (Malvaceae), especially those of the genera Hibiscus and Malva. Hibiscus species include the great rose mallow (H.

grandiflorus), with large white to purplish flowers; the soldier rose... Malpighiales large order of flowering plants that includes 40 families, more than 700 genera, and almost 16,000 species. Many of the families are tropical and poorly known, but well-known members of the order include Salicaceae (willow family), Violaceae (violet... Malvaceae the hibiscus, or mallow, family (order Malvales) containing some 243 genera and at least 4,225 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees. Representatives occur in all except the coldest parts of the world but are most numerous in the tropics. A number of species... Malvales medium-sized order, known as the Hibiscus or mallow order, mostly of woody plants, consisting of 10 families, 338 genera, and about 6,000 species. The plants grow in various habitats throughout much of the world, and a number of members are important...

mandacaru Cereus jamacaru species of treelike cactus (family Cactaceae) native to arid and semiarid regions of northeastern Brazil. With a height of up to 9 metres (nearly 30 feet), mandacaru is a tall cactus and features succulent segmented stems that arise from... mandrake Mandragora genus of six species of hallucinogenic plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), native to the Mediterranean region and the Himalayas. The plants are particularly noted for their potent roots, which somewhat resemble the human form and... mango Mangifera indica member of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), one of the most important and widely cultivated fruits of the tropical world and the tree on which it grows, considered indigenous to eastern Asia, Myanmar (Burma), and Assam state of India.... mangosteen (species Garcinia mangostana), handsome tropical tree of the family Clusiaceae, native to Southeast Asia, and its tart-sweet fruit. In Myanmar (Burma) it is called men-gu. Under favourable conditions, the slow-growing mangosteen tree can reach a height...

mangrove any of certain shrubs and trees that belong primarily to the families Rhizophoraceae, Acanthaceae, Lythraceae, Combretaceae, and Arecaceae; that grow in dense thickets or forests along tidal estuaries, in salt marshes, and on muddy coasts; and that characteristically... maple (Acer), any of a large genus (about 200 species) of shrubs or trees in the family Sapindaceae, widely distributed in the North Temperate Zone but concentrated in China. Maples constitute one of the most important groups of ornamentals for planting in... Marattiaceae the giant fern family, the only family of the fern order Marattiales. The family contains four genera and some 150 modern species of large tropical and subtropical ferns with stout, erect stems. The leaves (fronds) may be very large in some species,... Marchantia genus of liverworts (creeping ribbonlike plants) in the order Marchantiales, commonly found on moist clay or silty soils, especially on recently burned land throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Marchantia polymorpha, a well-known species, often is discussed...

Marín, Francisco de Paula horticultural experimenter who introduced numerous plant species to the Hawaiian Islands. Marín acquired his horticultural knowledge as a youth working in the Andalusian vineyards of Spain. He was taken to California and then to the Hawaiian Islands,... marjoram Origanum majorana perennial plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae), grown as a culinary herb. Its fresh or dried leaves and flowering tops are used to season many foods, imparting a warm, aromatic, slightly sharp, and bitterish flavour. Marjoram is particularly... Martius, Karl Friedrich Philipp von German botanist best known for his work on Brazilian flora. Martius studied medicine at Erlangen University and was an élève of the Royal Bavarian Academy (1814–17). On April 2, 1817, Martius left from Trieste with an Austrian expedition to Brazil. In... mate tealike beverage, popular in many South American countries, brewed from the dried leaves of an evergreen shrub or tree (Ilex paraguariensis) related to holly. It is a stimulating drink, greenish in colour, containing caffeine and tannin, and is less...

Mauritius hemp Furcraea gigantea plant of the family agave (Agavaceae) and its fibre, belonging to the leaf fibre group. Despite its name, it is not a true hemp. Although the plant is native to Brazil, commercial production of the fibre did not begin there until about... mayflower either of two spring-blooming wild flowers native to eastern North America, or one of several plants that bloom in the spring in Europe. Podophyllum peltatum (family Berberidaceae) is more often called mayapple, and Epigaea repens (family Ericaceae)... Mediterranean vegetation any scrubby, dense vegetation composed of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs, bushes, and small trees usually less than 2.5 m (about 8 feet) tall and growing in regions lying between 30° and 40° north and south latitudes. These regions have a climate similar... medlar Mespilus either of two species of the genus Mespilus of the rose family (Rosaceae). The common medlar (M.

germanica) is a small, much-branched, deciduous, spinous tree known for its edible fruits. The plant is native to Europe, from the Netherlands southward,... Meliaceae the mahogany family of flowering plants (order Sapindales), comprising 51 genera and about 575 species of trees and (rarely) shrubs, native to tropical and subtropical regions. Most members of the family have large compound leaves, with the leaflets... melon Cucumis melo trailing vine in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), grown for its often musky-scented edible fruit. The melon plant is native to central Asia, and its many cultivated varieties are widely grown in warm regions around the world. Most commercially... Mendel, Gregor botanist, teacher, and Augustinian prelate, the first to lay the mathematical foundation of the science of genetics, in what came to be called Mendelism. Education and early career Born to a family with limited means in German-speaking Silesia, Mendel...

Menyanthaceae flowering plant family of the order Asterales, consisting of five genera and about 40 species of aquatic or marsh herbs that are native to temperate areas of the world. Menyanthaceae species often spread vegetatively by creeping underwater rhizomes (stems)... meristem region of cells capable of division and growth in plants. Meristem cells are typically small cells the diameters of which in different directions are about equal. They have a dense cytoplasm and relatively few small vacuoles (watery saclike enclosures).... Metaxyaceae small family of ferns in the division Pteridophyta (the lower vascular plants). The single genus, Metaxya, contains two species, M. rostrata and M. lanosa. M. rostrata is widespread in Neotropical mountains from southern Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil.... Mexia, Ynes Enriquetta Julietta American botanical collector and explorer whose discoveries helped to clarify and complete botanical records. The descendant of Mexican-Americans living in Texas, she lived in Texas, Philadelphia, and Mexico City before moving to San Francisco in 1908,...

Michaux, André French botanist who spent 12 years studying the plants of North America. From 1779 to 1781 Michaux travelled in England, Spain, and in the Auvergne region of south central France, studying the plants of these areas. In 1782 the French government sent... millet any of several species of cereal grasses in the family Poaceae, cultivated for their small edible seeds. Millets were probably first cultivated in Asia more than 4,000 years ago, and they were major grains in Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, though... mimosa Mimosa large genus of plants in the pea family (Fabaceae), native to tropical and subtropical areas throughout both hemispheres. They are so named from the movements of the leaves in certain species that “mimic” animal sensibility. The well-known sensitive... mint Mentha genus of 25 species of fragrant herbs of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Native to Eurasia, North America, southern Africa, and Australia, mints are widely distributed throughout the temperate areas of the world and have naturalized in many places....

Mirbel, Charles-François Brisseau de French botanist whose book Traité d’anatomie et de physiologie végétale, 2 vol. (1802; “Treatise on Plant Anatomy and Physiology”), earned him recognition as a founder of plant cytology and plant physiology. His most notable contribution to plant cytology... mistletoe any of many species of parasitic plants of the families Loranthaceae, Misodendraceae, and Santalaceae, especially those of the genera Viscum, Phoradendron, and Arceuthobium (all of which are members of the family Santalaceae). Most mistletoes parasitize... monocotyledon one of the two great groups of flowering plants, or angiosperms, the other being the dicotyledons (dicots). There are approximately 60,000 species of monocots, including the most economically important of all plant families, Poaceae (true grasses), and... Morison, Robert Scottish botanist whose work, along with that of his contemporary John Ray, served to elucidate and develop the systematic classification of plants.

Morison was the director of the Royal Gardens at Blois, France (1650–60). He returned to England as physician... mosquito fern Azolla any of six species in the fern family Salviniaceae of the division Pteridophyta (the lower vascular plants). This family contains only one other genus, Salvinia (10–12 species). Members of Azolla are distributed nearly worldwide but are most diverse... moss Bryophyta any of at least 12,000 species of small nonvascular spore-bearing land plants. Mosses are distributed throughout the world except in salt water and are commonly found in moist shady locations. They are best known for those species that carpet... mountain ash Sorbus genus of several shrubs or trees in the rose family (Rosaceae), native to the Northern Hemisphere. Unrelated to true ashes (genus Fraxinus, family Oleaceae), mountain ashes are widely cultivated as ornamentals for their flower clusters and brightly... mountain mahogany Cercocarpus genus of five or six species of North American shrubs or small trees in the rose family (Rosaceae).

The hard heartwood of these trees is highly valued for carving, and it is said that the common name was given by the Mormons, who used the... Mueller, Sir Ferdinand von German-born Australian botanist and explorer who was known for his studies of the plants of Australia. After an apprenticeship as pharmacist, Mueller began the study of botany at the University of Kiel. Soon after receiving his Ph.D., he left Germany... mulberry any of several distinct small to medium-sized trees valued primarily for their ornamental effects. The common mulberries, in the genus Morus (family Moraceae), are 10 species, with more or less juicy fruits, native to temperate Asia and North America.... Musaceae the banana family of plants (order Zingiberales), consisting of 2 genera, Musa and Ensete, with about 50 species native to Africa, Asia, and Australia. The common banana (M. sapientum) is a subspecies of the plantain (M. paradisiaca). Both are important...

mustard any of several herbs belonging to the mustard family of plants, Brassicaceae (Cruciferae), or the condiment made from these plants’ pungent seeds. The leaves and swollen leaf stems of mustard plants are also used, as greens, or potherbs. The principal... Mutis, José botanist who initiated one of the most important periods of botanical exploration in Spain. After receiving the bachelor’s degree from the University of Sevilla (Seville) in 1753, Mutis studied medicine at Madrid and in 1757 became physician to the royal... Myricaceae the wax myrtle family of dicotyledonous flowering plants, in the beech order (Fagales), found throughout the world, with three genera of trees and shrubs having aromatic leaves. Many of the species bear yellow glandular dots on the surface, from which... Myristicaceae the nutmeg family of the magnolia order (Magnoliales), best known for the fragrant, spicy seeds of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). The family contains 15 other genera and about 380 species of evergreen trees found throughout moist tropical lowlands. Most...

Myrtales the myrtle order of flowering plants, composed of 14 families, 380 genera, and about 11,000 species distributed throughout the tropics and warmer regions of the world. The majority of these species belong to just two families, Melastomataceae and Myrtaceae.... myrtle any of the evergreen shrubs in the genus Myrtus, belonging to the family Myrtaceae. Authorities differ widely over the number of species the genus includes. Most occur in South America; some are found in Australia and New Zealand. True myrtles have a... Mentha : Wikis (The Full Wiki) The Full Wiki Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . Related top topics From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mentha Species See text Mentha (mint) is a genus of about 25 species (and many hundreds of varieties [1] ) of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae (Mint Family).

Species within Mentha have a subcosmopolitan distribution across Europe , Africa , Asia , [2] Australia , and North America . Several mint hybrids commonly occur. Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial , rarely annual , herbs . They have wide-spreading underground rhizomes and erect, square [3] , branched stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from simple oblong to lanceolate , often downy, and with a serrated margin. Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue, and sometimes pale yellow. [2] The flowers are produced in clusters ('verticils') on an erect spike, white to purple, the corolla two-lipped with four subequal lobes, the upper lobe usually the largest. The fruit is a small, dry capsule containing one to four seeds . While the species that make up the Mentha genus are widely distributed and can be found in many environments, most Mentha grow best in wet environments and moist soils. Mints will grow 10–120 cm tall and can spread over an indeterminate sized area. Due to their tendency to spread unchecked, mints are considered invasive . [4] Contents Mentha × rotundifolia (M.

longifolia × M. suaveolens) - False Apple-mint Mentha × smithiana (M. aquatica × M. arvensis × M. spicata) - Red Raripila Mint Mentha × verticillata (M. aquatica × M. arvensis) Mentha × villosa (M. spicata × M. suaveolens) - Also called Mentha nemorosa, large apple mint, foxtail mint, hairy mint, woolly mint, Cuban mint, mojito mint, and is known as Yerba Buena in Cuba. Mentha × villosonervata (M. longifolia × M. spicata) - Sharp-toothed Mint Cultivation Mentha x gracilis and M. rotundifolia. The steel ring is to control the spread of the plant. All mints prefer, and thrive in, cool, moist spots in partial shade. [5] In general, mints tolerate a wide range of conditions, and can also be grown in full sun. They are fast growing, extending their reach along surfaces through a network of runners .

Due to their speedy growth, one plant of each desired mint, along with a little care, will provide more than enough mint for home use. Some mint species are more invasive than others. Even with the less invasive mints, care should be taken when mixing any mint with any other plants, lest the mint take over. To control mints in an open environment, mints should be planted in deep, bottomless containers sunk in the ground, or planted above ground in tubs and barrels. [5] Some mints can be propagated by seed. Growth from seed can be an unreliable method for raising mint for two reasons: mint seeds are highly variable - one might not end up with what one presupposed was planted [5] ; and some mint varieties are sterile. It is more effective to take and plant cuttings from the runners of healthy mints. The most common and popular mints for cultivation are peppermint (Mentha × piperita), spearmint (Mentha spicata), and (more recently) apple mint (Mentha suaveolens). Mints are supposed to make good companion plants , repelling pest insects and attracting beneficial ones. Mints are susceptible to whitefly and aphids .

Harvesting of mint leaves can be done at anytime. Fresh mint leaves should be used immediately or stored up to a couple of days in plastic bags within a refrigerator. Optionally, mint can be frozen in ice cube trays. Dried mint leaves should be stored in an airtight container placed in a cool, dark, dry area. [6] Uses A jar of mint jelly. Mint jelly is a traditional condiment served with lamb dishes. Mint tea. The 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. The leaves have a pleasant warm, fresh, aromatic, sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste. Mint leaves are used in teas, beverages, jellies, syrups, candies, and ice creams. In Middle Eastern cuisine, mint is used on lamb dishes. In British cuisine, mint sauce is popular with lamb. Mint is a necessary ingredient in Touareg tea , a popular tea in northern African and Arab countries. Alcoholic drinks sometimes feature mint for flavor or garnish, such as the Mint Julep and the Mojito .

Crème de menthe is a mint-flavored liqueur used in drinks such as the grasshopper . Mint essential oil and menthol are extensively used as flavorings in breath fresheners, drinks, antiseptic mouth rinses , toothpaste , chewing gum , desserts , and candies ; see mint (candy) and mint chocolate . The substances that give the mints their characteristic aromas and flavors are menthol (the main aroma of Peppermint and Japanese Peppermint ) and pulegone (in Pennyroyal and Corsican Mint ). The compound primarily responsible for the aroma and flavor of spearmint is R- carvone . Methyl salicylate , commonly called "oil of wintergreen", is often used as a mint flavoring for foods and candies due to its mint-like flavor. Mints are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Buff Ermine . Medicinal and cosmetic Mint was originally used as a medicinal herb to treat stomach ache and chest pains , and it is commonly used in the form of tea as a home remedy to help alleviate stomach pain. During the Middle Ages , powdered mint leaves were used to whiten teeth . Mint tea is a strong diuretic .

Mint also aids digestion, in a way that it breaks down the fats. In recent years, it has been often recommended for treating obesity. Menthol from mint essential oil (40-90%) is an ingredient of many cosmetics and some perfumes . Menthol and mint essential oil are also much used in medicine as a component of many drugs, and are very popular in aromatherapy . Mint is also used in some shampoo products. A common use is as an antipruritic , especially in insect bite treatments (often along with camphor ). Menthol is also used in cigarettes as an additive, because it blocks out the bitter taste of tobacco and soothes the throat. The strong, sharp flavor and scent of mint is sometimes used as a mild decongestant for illnesses such as the common cold . In Rome, Pliny recommended that a wreath of mint was a good thing for students to wear since it was thought to "exhilarate their minds". Insecticides Mint leaves are often used by many campers to repel mosquitoes . It is also said that extracts from mint leaves have a particular mosquito-killing capability. Mint plants planted near doorways help drive ants away.

Mint oil is also used as an environmentally-friendly insecticide for its ability to kill some common pests like wasps, hornets, ants and cockroaches. Diseases Origin and usage of the word mint An example of Mint leaves Mint descends from the Latin word mentha, which is rooted in the Greek word minthe, mentioned in Greek mythology as Minthe , a nymph who was transformed into a mint plant. The word itself probably derives from a now extinct pre-Greek language (see Pre-Greek substrate ). [7] Mint leaves, without a qualifier like peppermint or apple mint, generally refers to spearmint leaves. In Central and South America , mint is known as hierbabuena (literally, "good herb"). In Lusophone countries, especially in Brazil , mint species are popularly known as Hortelã . In many Indo-Aryan languages , it is called Pudīna. The taxonomic family Lamiaceae is known as the mint family. It includes many other aromatic herbs, including most of the more common cooking herbs, including basil , rosemary , sage , oregano , and catnip .

As an English colloquial term, any small mint-flavored confectionery item can be called a mint . [1] In common usage, several other plants with fragrant leaves may be erroneously called a mint. Vietnamese Mint , commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine, is not a member of the mint family (taxonomic family Lamiaceae). Notes ^ a b Davidson, Alan (1999). The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 508. ISBN 0-19-211579-0. ^ a b Brickell, Christopher; Zuk, Judith D. (1997). The American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. New York, NY, USA: DK Publishing, Inc.. pp. 668. ISBN 0-7894-1943-2. ^ Rose, Francis (1981). The Wild Flower Key. Frederick Warne & Co. pp. 310. ISBN 0-7232-2419-6. ^ Brickell, Christopher; Trevor Cole (2002).

The American Horticultural Society: Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers. New York, NY, USA: DK Publishing, Inc.. pp. 605. ISBN 0-7894-8993-7. ^ a b c Bradley, Fern (1992). Rodale's All-new Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. Emmaus, Pennsylvania, USA: Rodale Press. pp. 390. ISBN 0-87857-999-0. ^ Ortiz, Elisabeth (1992). The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices & Flavorings. London: Dorling Kindersley. pp. 36–37. ISBN 1-56458-065-2. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (1947-). CRC World dictionary of plant names: Common names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Sonyonyms, and Etymology. III M-Q. CRC Press. pp. 1658. External links

Question: The mentha plant genus is more commonly called what?
Answer: Mint