Peppermint
Scientific name: Mentha x piperita L. (= Mentha aquatica x Mentha spicata)
Diagnostic features
Plant glabrous or pubescent, often red-tinged, variously scented, often of peppermint.
Stems erect, to 90cm.
Leaves ovate to oblong-lanceolate, cuneate to subcordate at base, with rather sharp but not deep teeth, petiolate.
Upperwhorls in axils of small bracts, congestedto form variously rounded, pyramidal or cylindrical head.
Calyx tubular to bell-shaped, 2.5-4.5mm, with subulate teeth.
Corolla pinkish-lilac.
Sterile.
Chromosome number: 2n=66, 72, 84, 120.
Habitat
Native; damp ground and waste places, escape or throwout when glabrous, usually spontaneous when pubescent.
Distribution
Scattered throughout British Isles.
This hybrid is keyed out on Page 3114 and on Page 3115 in the Text Key.
Note
Pubescent plants were formerly misdetermined as Mentha x dumetorum Schult. (= Mentha aquatica x Mentha longifolia).
Mentha x piperita var. citrata (Ehrh.) Briq. (Eau de Cologne Mint) is a distinctive glabrous variant with scent of Eau de Cologne, ovate, subcordate leaves, and a rounded inflorescence; it is often grown and escapes. |
