Spearmint
Mentha spicata

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A creeping leafy herb with numerous long runners. It has underground stems. It grows to 50 cm high. The leaves have a strong smell. The plant tends to be stiff and upright with long narrow pointed leaves. The leaves have short stalks. The leaves are 2-3.5 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. They have teeth long the edge. It has pink flowers at the top. They occur in a ring of many flowers. and small brown seeds.

There are 25 Mentha species.

Where it is found

A cool temperate plant. In the tropics it mainly occurs in the highlands. It suits damp ground. In Nepal it grows to about 2500 m altitude. It grows in moist, open places. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. Tasmania Herbarium. Hobart Botanical Gardens. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Britain (country/location of origin), Bulgaria, Canada, Central Asia, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Europe, Falklands, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Laos, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Norway, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rotuma, Russia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sicily, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for flavouring food. They are used in salads, sauces, soups, fruit drinks, vegetable dishes, desserts, and dressings. They are also pickled and used in chutney. The essential oil is used for flavouring. The fresh or dried leaves are used for tea.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. In Papua New Guinea it can fairly commonly be seen near highland villages and gardens.

Edible parts

Leaves, herb, vegetable, spice, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are easily grown by using runners or rooted cuttings. They can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Babari, Bawari, Bibera hurik, Gilapejm, Green mint, Hierba buena, Hortelana, Klasasta meta, Lamb mint, Liu lan xiang, Menta, Metvica, Nane, Ninhe, Nunivo, Padina, Pahari, Patina, Podeno, Podina, Poodina, Pudina, Selernay, Solila, Ushila, Yabaninane

Synonyms

Mentha crispa L.; Mentha pudina Buch.-Ham.ex Benth.; Mentha sativa Roxb.; Mentha viridis (L.) L.; Mentha spicata var. viridis L.; Mentha sylvestris;