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Mentha arvensis

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Mentha arvensis L.

Family Name: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Common Name: Corn Mint, European Corn Mint, Wild Mint, Field Mint, Japanese Peppermint, Tule Mint, Brook Mint, 野薄荷, 日本薄荷

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 0.5 m to 1 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Europe to Siberia and Nepal
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Temperate Forest, Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone Temperate

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology Growth Form: Herbaceous perennial that grows from a rhizome (underground horizontal stem). Habitat: Occurs on moist soil in meadows and near the edge of forests or streams.Foliage: Opposite arrangement of leaves (1.5 - 5 cm long). Leaves green and ovate or elliptic, having a serrate leaf margin. Flowers: Small, light purple or white flowers (0.3 – 0.6 cm long) occur in whorls (1 – 2 cm wide). Flowers campanulate (shaped like bells, but petals slightly separating at the bottom) and located in the leaf axils (between the base of the leaf and adjacent stem). Fruits: Brown fruits are nutlets each containing a single seed. Nutlets are formed when the seed-bearing structure fragments into one-seeded pieces.Landscaping: Grown in herb gardens or containers. Can be grown indoors or outdoors.Cultivation: Tolerates a wide range of soil types from sandy to clay soils and from acidic to alkaline soils. However, it does not tolerate saline soils. Grows best in soils that are slightly acidic. The plant is not drought tolerant. Has spreading roots that may cause the plant to dominate and take over an area. Put outdoor plants in a pot placed in the soil to prevent excessive growth. For maximum production of essential oils, grow the plant under full sun. Propagation: Propagate by seeds, stem cuttings or division. Seeds do not require cold stratification (i.e., soaking them in water and placing at cold temperature before planting) to germinate.Etymology: The genus name “Mentha” comes from a Greek myth about a nymph named “Minthe” (also known as Menthe) who became Pluto’s mistress. Pluto’s jealous wife transformed Minthe into a mint plant. Caution: Consumption of large quantities of the plant’s essential oil may induce an abortion.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves
Food (Herb or Spice)
Others: Food: The leaves may be eaten raw in salads or used to make tea. The essential oils are used to flavor desserts. Medicine: American Indians used the leaves to prepare medicine for kidney diseases. Other: The mint fragrance is a repellant for insects and rodents. Some granaries place the leaves near the grain to deter rodents from eating them.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Fragrant (Foliage, Flowers) (Time Independent)
Landscape Uses Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping Economic Garden
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks Consumption of large quantities of the plant’s essential oil may induce abortions in pregnant women. Grows aggressively and may dominate an area.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly-Attracting
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth))
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Acidic (low pH) Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils, Shallow Media
Maintenance Requirements Low
Potential Problems Aggresive growth can overtake a garden plot.
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting, Division

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Serrate / Toothed
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Acute, Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous
Root Type Underground (Tap Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Purple, White
Flower Symmetry Radial
Individual Flower Shape Campaulate / Bell-shaped
Flower Size - Remarks 3 - 6 mm
Inflorescence Type Verticel
Flowering Opening Time Daytime
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 30130
Species ID 4439
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 23 February 2022.
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