spearmint

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bush mint
• spearmint

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Mentha, specifically as the species Mentha spicata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally in the country of Denmark. Its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland as well. Additionally, the species is established in the Scandinavian territories of Norway and Sweden. These locations collectively represent its significant geographical range across the northern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mentha spicata is characterized by a broad and adaptable distribution, spanning a significant vertical gradient from sea level up to an elevation of 3900 m AMSL. This wide elevational range allows the species to occupy diverse altitudinal niches, ranging from lowland coastal areas to high-altitude environments. Regarding its preferred environment, the species frequently colonizes "Área Antrópica" (anthropic areas), demonstrating a notable capacity to thrive in habitats influenced or modified by human activity, such as gardens, agricultural margins, or disturbed landscapes.

Elevational range max:

3900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Mentha spicata are characterized by significant chromosomal variability and complex polyploidy levels, which contribute to its evolutionary adaptability and chemical diversity. The species exhibits a wide range of ploidy levels, as evidenced by its fluctuating chromosome numbers, which include 18, 36, 48, and 64. This chromosomal plasticity suggests that the plant undergoes various stages of genome doubling and hybridization, leading to different cytotypes that may possess distinct physiological or essential oil profiles. Such genomic complexity is a hallmark of the genus Mentha, where the presence of both diploid and polyploid lineages plays a crucial role in the plant's ability to colonize diverse ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

18, 36, 48, 64

Life history

The life history of Mentha spicata is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Functionally, it is categorized as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or debris during unfavorable conditions. This species exhibits an evergreen nature, maintaining its vegetative structures throughout various stages of its life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mentha spicata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. The plant is a terrestrial species, existing as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. It exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, meaning it does not require external structures for support, and maintains an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a height with a mean of 0.5375 m, though individual specimens vary in size, ranging from a minimum height of 0.3 m to a maximum height of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.5375 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mentha spicata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil-based nutrient uptake. Its foliage exhibits significant morphological variation, featuring an elliptic leaf form with a mean leaf size of 10.576 cm². The leaves demonstrate a range of dimensions, with lengths varying from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, while widths range from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 1.4 cm. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 225 cm²/g, reflecting its structural leaf density and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf size mean:

10.576 cm²

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.4 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

225 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mentha spicata is characterized by a specialized flowering cycle and specific biotic interactions. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in September. During this time, the plant produces pink flowers that range in length from a minimum of 0.25 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm. The pollination process is strictly biotic, relying on insects, with bees serving as primary pollinators. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops small fruits with a mean length of 0.1 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.07 cm to a maximum of 0.1 cm. The resulting seeds are extremely fine, with a consistent mean mass of 4e-05 g (ranging from a minimum to a maximum of 4e-05 g). Dispersal of these seeds is classified as hydrochorous, meaning they are spread via water. Furthermore, the plant does not exhibit asexual reproduction, relying entirely on its sexual reproductive cycle for propagation.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

0.4 cm

Flower length min:

0.25 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.1 cm

Fruit length min:

0.07 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass mean:

4e-05 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mentha spicata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Parasitology research
2. Biomolecules
3. Indian journal of microbiology
4. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Mentha spicata has 331 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CARVONE, LIMONENE, Flavonoids, MENTHOL, Tannins.

CARVONE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
3. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Parasitology research
5. Indian journal of microbiology

LIMONENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Parasitology research
4. Complementary therapies in clinical practice
5. The Journal of biological chemistry

Flavonoids

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Scientifica
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
5. Pharmaceutical chemistry journal

MENTHOL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Complementary therapies in clinical practice
4. Nucleosides, nucleotides & nucleic acids
5. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Tannins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientifica
3. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

rosmarinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food technology and biotechnology
3. Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics
4. Frontiers in pharmacology

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

MYRCENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of biological chemistry
3. Insects

Terpenoids

1. Scientifica
2. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
3. TheScientificWorldJournal

polyphenols

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Mentha spicata has 719 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antidiuretic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
3. Scientifica
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Frontiers in microbiology
5. Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antidiuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientifica

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antiproliferative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical chemistry journal

Anxiolytic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Astringent

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Medicinal Uses

Mentha spicata has 44 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, colon cancer, flatulence, gastrointestinal disorders, indigestion.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations