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Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) |
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Mentha spicata Water Mint is most likely to be confused with Spearmint. The flower clusters of Spearmint are not as large as those of Water Mint. Additionally the leaves of Spearmint are narrower and have shorter petioles. Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) Alien: Native of Europe. Identification: Flowers small, pink to lavender, tubular with unmodified petal lobes splayed outward at the tip. Flowers arranged in tight, large clusters in the leaf axils concentrated near the top of the plant. Stem and leaves hairy. Leaves round-ovate, with well defined petioles and a toothed outer margin. Plant 18 to 30 inches in height. Distribution: Found primarily along the eastern coast from Nova Scotia to South Carolina, but also occurring in most of the inland eastern states. Also occurs throughout the central and western United States. Habitat: Water Mint is a denizen of wet habitats. Flowering Period: August to October. Comments: Peppermint, sometimes referred to in the past as Mentha piperita, is now considered to be a hybrid between Water Mint and Spearmint. |
Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
Similar Species: Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
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Similar Species |
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