Spearmint

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Perennial

Native distribution

Origin Unkown; Widely Naturalized in Europe

Biocultural value

Mint leaves were chewed to freshen the breath, made into tea to aid digestion and were added to salads and sauces. They were placed in bath water for their invigorating scent. Hot or iced leaf tea is refreshing and stomach-soothing.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Audry O'Connor

Description

To 30" in height, glabrous, usually with a strong, sweet scent. Leaves sessile, lanceolate, to 2" long,acute, serrate, petioles about 1/16" long; inflorescence variable, calyx campanulate, glabrous or hairy, teeth nearly equal; corolla lilac, pink or white; summer blooming.

USDA Hardiness Zone

5

Special characteristics

other ethnobotanical uses, fragrance, food