스피아민트

 

학명: Mentha spicata L.

분류: 꿀풀과(Labiatae)

학명 풀이:

Mentha: 그리스 신화에서 박하로 바뀐 님프의 이름

spicata: 수상화서

영명: Spear Mint or Spearmint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

설명 1

Mentha spicata syn. M. cordifolia (Spear Mint or Spearmint) is a species of mint native to much of Europe and southwest Asia, though its exact natural range is uncertain due to extensive early cultivation. It grows in wet soils. It is an invasive species in the Great Lakes region of North America where it was first sighted in 1843, although it is grown widely across northern Indiana.

 

It is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant growing 30–100 cm tall, with variably hairless to hairy stems and foliage, and a wide-spreading fleshy underground rhizome. The leaves are 5–9 cm long and 1.5–3 cm broad, with a serrated margin. The stem is square-shaped, a trademark of the mint family of herbs. Spearmint produces flowers in slender spikes, each flower pink or white, 2.5–3 mm long and broad.

Hybrids involving spearmint include Mentha × piperita (Peppermint; hybrid with Mentha aquatica), Mentha × gracilis (Ginger Mint, syn. M. cardiaca; hybrid with Mentha arvensis), and Mentha × villosa (Large Apple Mint, hybrid with Mentha suaveolens).

The name 'spear' mint derives from the pointed leaf tips.[6]

 

설명 출처: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha_spicata에서 부분 인용

 

 

설명 2

Stems: To 0.75m tall, glabrous, 4-angled, from creeping rhizomes.

Leaves: Opposite, sessile or on very short petioles, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, toothed, to +7cm long, 3cm wide, glabrous above, glabrous or very sparsely pubescent below, very fragrant.

Inflorescence: Terminal spike of floral whorls (verticillasters). Bracts accompanying clusters linear, not longer than clusters.

Flowers: Corolla white to light lavender (lilac), 2-3mm long, 4-lobed, regular. Calyx 1.5-2mm long, 5-lobed, pubescent.

Flowering - June - October.

Habitat - Moist to wet ground.

Origin - Native to Europe.

Other info. - This is the familiar "Spearmint" used to flavor teas, candies, and other products. The leaves give off the very distinctive scent when crushed.

The plant is a vigorous grower and is cultivated worldwide. It can be easily grown by the home gardener if moist soil is provided.

 

설명 출처: http://www.missouriplants.com/Whiteopp/Mentha_spicata_page.html