Nearctica - Eastern Wildflowers - Lamiaceae - Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Spearmint

(Mentha spicata)

Kohler F.E., 1883-1914. Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen in naturgetreuen Abbildungen mit kurz erläuterndem Texte : Atlas zur Pharmacopoea germanica.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

Mentha arvensis

The flowers of Wild Mint are located in clusters up and down the stem instead of being concentrated near the apices of the stems.

Mentha aquatica

The leaves of Water Mint are rounder with longer petioles. The flower clusters of Water Mint are generally larger and rounder than those of Spearmint.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Flowers pink to pale violet, small. Petal lobes mostly unmodified, spreading at the tip of the corolla, one lobe composed of two fused petals. Stamens and pistil projecting past the corolla. Flowers in clusters in the upper leaf axils, concentrated near the apices of the stems. Stem square. Leaves ovate, with short to absent petioles and a heavily toothed outer margin. Foliage with a characteristic spearmint aroma. Plant 10 to 20 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: Spearmint is found in a variety of disturbed habitats such as fields, empty lots, and roadsides.

Flowering Period: June to October.

Comments: The color drawing shows a variety with curly leaves. Peppermint, sometimes referred to by the name Mentha piperita, is now considered to be a hybrid between Spearmint and Water Mint.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Similar Species:

Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis)

Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)

Similar Species