Red raripila mint, Red mint
Mentha x smithiana

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A tall creeping herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 50-150 cm high and can spread widely. The stems are red and the leaves are oval and 7 cm long. They have a sweet scent. The flowers are a rosy purple colour and are sterile. They are produced in rings.

There are 25 Mentha species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is hardy to frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Europe (country/location of origin), North America, Slovenia, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as flavouring with peas and salads and in drinks.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Smithova meta

Synonyms

Mentha rubra; It is a hybrid between Mentha aquatica, Mentha arvensis and Mentha spicata;