Wild Mint
Mentha arvensis |
|
| Family |
Mint (Lamiaceae) |
 |
| Bloom |
Summer, Fall |
| Habitat |
Along streams and lakes, wet
woodland |
| Status |
Native |
| Cycle |
Perennial |
| Height |
6-24" |
| Flower |
Flowers are found in open round
clusters 1" in diameter made up of tiny white or pale pink flowers 1/4"
wide. Clusters are found around the stem at the leaf axis. |
| Leaf |
Leaves come in pairs of
lance-shaped leaves 1-2" long tapering at both ends. They occur
opposite on the stem. Leaves get smaller near the top of the plant.
All leaves have a strong odor when crushed. |
| Notes |
The stem is 4-sided
and fuzzy to hairy. Because they have no way of eliminating waste,
they store by-product chemicals in their leaves in the form of essential
oils. The oils which give the leaves a minty smell and taste have been
used as flavoring in foods and beverages. |
 |
 |
