Mentha

Mentha
Inflorescence of Mentha spicata
Mentha x piperita
Mentha spicata (Spearmint)
Mentha × piperita (Peppermint)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Subfamily: Nepetoideae
Tribe: Mentheae
Genus: Mentha
L.
Type species
Mentha spicata
Synonyms[1]

Mentha, also known as mint (from Greek μίνθα míntha,[2] Linear B mi-ta[3]), is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae.[4] It is estimated that 13 to 24 species exist, but the exact distinction between species is unclear.[5][1] Hybridization occurs naturally where some species' ranges overlap. Many hybrids and cultivars are known.

The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution, growing best in wet environments and moist soils.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference POWO_30016176-2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ μίνθα. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project
  3. ^ Palaeolexicon Archived 2011-02-03 at the Wayback Machine, Word study tool of ancient languages
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Harl04 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Buns04 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).