Wild mint
Mentha longifolia subsp. polyadena

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows 1 m tall. The stems are 4 sided and hairy. They are reddish brown and branched. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are narrowly sword shaped and do not have stalks. They are dark green and smooth above and more pale and hairy underneath. There are fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are in a dense spike like group. The flowers are 4 mm long. The fruit is a smooth oval nutlet.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean or subtropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

The leaves are used fresh or dried to make a tea like drink.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dolgolistna meta, Inxina, Inzinziniba, Kwena, Kwena-ya-thaba, Ufuthanelomhlanga

Synonyms

Mentha longifolia var. polyadena (Briq.) Briq.; Mentha sylvestris subsp. polyadena Briq.;