Calamint
Clinopodium menthifolium

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 80 cm high and spreads 1 m wide. The stem is hairy and erect. Some stems are creeping. The leaves are oval to round and green. They have some teeth and have a mint scent. The flowers are pink or lilac. They have white spots on the lower lip.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in light to medium well drained soils. It needs an open sunny position. It is drought and frost resistant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Caucasus, Crimea, Europe, Iran, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Syria, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for flavouring. They are used with zucchini vegetables and to flavour meats and stews. The flowers are used for conserves.

Edible parts

Leaves - spice, leaves - flavouring, flowers

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Calamintha menthifolia Host; Calamintha montana subsp. menthifolia (Host) Dostal; Calamintha officinalis f. menthifolia (Host) Hayek; Calamintha officinalis var. menthifolia (Host) Rchb.f.; Calamintha officinalis var. sylvatica (Bromf.) Nyman; Calamintha sylvatica Bromf.; Satureja menthifolia (Host) Fritsch;