MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Description of the Species of Mint

M. arvensis (Japanese mint) is a downy, perennial herb, spreading by root-stocks which creep along the ground or just under the surface and root at the nodes. There are three horticultural varieties in this species.

M. piperita spreads by a system of branching, underground rootstocks and grows to a height of 45 to 90 cm (l.5 to 3 ft).

 

M. citrata grows up to 30-60 cm height, with decumbent branches and erect ends. The leaves are 1.25-5.0 cm long, thin, bronzy-green, petiolate; smooth. M. citrata is a hybrid between M .aquatica and M.viridis.

M. spicata propagates by stolons, from which 30-60 cm erect, ascending branches arise. The leaves are sessile, smooth above and glandular below, the apex is acute and up to 6.5 cm long.

Another variety of spearmint known as scotch spearmint (M. cardiaca . (S.F. Gray Baker)) is cultivated in the USA to a limited extent.