Mentha spicata

• Botanical Name : Mentha spicata L.
• Common Name : Spear Mint, Pahadi Fudino
• Plant Family : Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
• Plant Form : Herb
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park

About Mentha spicata Plant :

• Habit : A rhizomatous, perennial herb.
• Stem : Erect, glabrous, square-shaped.
• Leaves : Sessile or sub-sessile, ovate-oblong-lanceolate, base broadly cuneate to rounded, margin serrated having acute apex.
• Inflorescence : Verticillaster
• Flowers :
  • Pedicellate flowers in slender spikes are interrupted, pink or white.
  • Calyx campanulate, glandular, 5 lobed.
  • Corolla purplish, glabrous, emarginated apex.
  • Ovary brown, glabrous.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : May - September
• Significance :
  • Spearmint leaves can be used fresh, dried, or frozen.
  • Spearmint is often cultivated for its aromatic and carminative oil, referred to as spearmintoil.
  • It is used as a flavoring for toothpaste and confectionery, and is sometimes added to shampoos and soaps.