Spear Mint
Mentha spicata subsp. spicata · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (3 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Spear Mint, scientifically known as Mentha spicata subsp. spicata, is a fragrant perennial herb celebrated for its refreshing aroma and versatile therapeutic properties. Widely used in culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal applications, this plant offers soothing relief for digestive issues and serves as a potent natural source of menthol.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Curly Mint · Spear Mint
- Scientific synonyms
- Mentha Spicata Var. Undulata · Mentha Michelii · 104 more
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- Curly Mint
- Spear Mint
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Mentha spicata subsp. spicataSynonyms
- Mentha spicata var. undulata
- Mentha michelii
- Mentha viridis subsp. crispata
- Mentha spicata var. scotica
- Mentha viridis var. ocymiodora
- Mentha sylvestris var. glabrata
- Mentha inarimensis
- Mentha tauschii
- Mentha tenuiflora
- Mentha tenuifolia
- Mentha tenuis
- Mentha viridis var. ciliata
- Mentha viridis var. latifolia
- Mentha lacerata
- Mentha spicata var. crispa
- Mentha rubicunda
- Mentha crispata
- Mentha spicata var. piperella
- Mentha × piperita var. inarimensis
- Mentha crispa
- Mentha spicata var. crispata
- Mentha crispata var. lacerata
- Mentha brevispicata
- Mentha spicata var. cordato-ovata
- Mentha atrata
- Mentha mollissima var. undulata
- Mentha viridis subsp. angustifolia
- Mentha ocymiodora
- Mentha viridis subsp. euryphylla
- Mentha pectinata
- Mentha viridis var. phaneroneura
- Mentha romana
- Mentha viridis var. holotilta
- Mentha viridis var. maderensis
- Mentha rosanii
- Mentha viridis var. phyllopogon
- Mentha pudina
- Mentha viridis var. oligotricha
- Mentha piperella
- Mentha viridis var. laetivridis
- Mentha viridis subsp. malinvaldii
- Mentha viridis var. allodonta
- Mentha rubicunda var. langiana
- Mentha viridis var. walteriana
- Mentha laevigata
- Mentha viridis var. laevigata
- Mentha lejeuneana
- Mentha viridis var. tauscheri
- Mentha viridis var. sinuosa
- Mentha viridis var. stenophyllon
- Mentha aquatica var. crispa
- Mentha longifolia subsp. undulata
- Mentha hortensis
- Mentha viridis var. tenuis
- Mentha integerrima
- Mentha viridis subsp. exquisita
- Mentha viridis
- Mentha viridis var. exquisita
- Mentha laciniosa
- Mentha viridis var. malinvaldii
- Mentha viridis var. lampreilema
- Mentha longifolia subsp. viridis
- Mentha longifolia subvar. psilostachya
- Mentha sylvestris var. oblongifolia
- Mentha viridifolia
- Mentha longifolia var. piperella
- Mentha longifolia var. laevigata
- Mentha viridis var. angustifolia
- Mentha × villosa var. rosanii
- Mentha viridis var. crispa
- Mentha longifolia var. crispata
- Mentha viridis var. glabrata
- Mentha viridis f. crispata
- Mentha walteriana
- Mentha undulata
- Mentha sepincola
- Mentha viridis f. psilostachya
- Mentha scotica
- Mentha sylvestris var. glabra
- Mentha spicata var. viridis
- Mentha sylvestris var. crispata
- Mentha spicata subsp. glabrata
- Mentha sylvestris subsp. viridis
- Mentha cordato-ovata
- Mentha spicata var. oblongifolia
- Mentha × niliaca var. rosanii
- Mentha viridis var. tenuiflora
- Mentha viridis var. cordato-ovata
- Mentha viridis var. jaccardii
- Mentha sylvestris var. undulata
- Mentha longifolia var. undulata
- Mentha viridis f. laevigata
- Mentha viridis var. spadana
- Mentha viridis var. lacerata
- Mentha viridis var. crispata
- Mentha viridis var. lejeuneana
- Mentha viridis var. hortensis
- Mentha viridis var. piperella
- Mentha viridis var. macrostemma
- Mentha × piperita var. crispa
- Mentha viridis subsp. inarimensis
- Mentha sylvestris var. rosanii
- Mentha crispa var. verticillata
- Mentha sylvestris convar. cyrtophylla
- Mentha sylvestris var. viridis
- Mentha aquatica subsp. crispa
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- hierbabuena eurasiática
German:
- Kahle Grüne Minze
French:
- menthe verte
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Mentha. Specifically, the taxon is identified as the subspecies spicata.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Mentha |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant is widely recognized for its presence throughout various regions of Northern Europe. Specifically, it can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. Its distribution also extends across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the territories of Norway. Finally, its geographical reach includes the various regions of Sweden.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain |
| Northern Europe | Ireland |
| Northern Europe | Norway |
| Northern Europe | Sweden |
| Middle Europe | Austria |
| Middle Europe | Belgium |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia |
| Middle Europe | Germany |
| Middle Europe | Hungary |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Chemicals
Mentha spicata subsp. spicata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rosmarinic acid.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| rosmarinic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
rosmarinic acid
- Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
Activities
Mentha spicata subsp. spicata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticoagulant.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulant | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Anticoagulant
- Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
Preparations
Mentha spicata subsp. spicata has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanol extracts, aqueous extracts, essential oils, tea.
| Preparation | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Ethanol extracts | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aqueous extracts | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Essential oils | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tea | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Ethanol extracts
- Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
Aqueous extracts
- Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
Essential oils
- Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
Tea
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM