Peppermint
Mentha piperita

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It can grow to 1.2 m high. The stems are slightly hairy. They are 4 sided and purple. The leaves are almost oval and 2-4 cm long. They are opposite. There are teeth towards the tip. The stalks are 3-12 mm long. The flowers are in clusters at the top of the stems. They are light purple. They are in spikes. The fruit contains 4 small nutlets.

There are 25 Mentha species. It is a hybrid between M. aquatica and M. spicata.

Where it is found

A cool temperate plant. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Africa, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Croatia, Cuba, Ecuador, Europe (country/location of origin), Falklands, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Laos, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Niger, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, Sahel, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tasmania, Thailand, Tuvalu, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

It is strongly flavoured and is mostly used as an extract in flavouring sweets and drinks. The dried leaves can be used for tea. The oil obtained by distillation is used in flavouring.

Edible parts

Leaves, herb, leaves - tea, spice

How it is grown

It does not normally set viable seeds. It can be grown from seeds or by division of the roots.

Its other names

Local names

Budi-nan, Gamathi phudina, Hierba buena, Paudina, La menta, Menta negra, Menta piperina, Menta piperita, Metvica, Ndamba, Nsimasatu, Paparaminta, Pudina, Pusi-nan, Vilayati pudina

Synonyms

Mentha x piperata;