description
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita, also known as M. balsamea) is a hybrid mint
of the Lamiaceae family, a cross between watermint and spearmint.
The peppermint plant is an
herbaceous rhizomatous perennial that grows up to 30–90 cm (12–35 in) tall.
It has smooth stems that are square in cross section. The rhizomes are wide-spreading,
fleshy, and bare fibrous roots.
The leaves are from 4–9 cm (1.6–3.5 in) long
and 1.5–4 cm (0.59–1.6 in) broad, dark green with reddish veins, and with an
acute apex and coarsely toothed margins. The leaves and stems are usually
slightly fuzzy.
The flowers are purple, 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long, with a
four-lobed corolla about 5 mm (0.20 in) diameter; they are produced in
whorls around the stem, forming thick, blunt spikes. Flowering is from mid
to late summer.
The peppermint plant is fast growing once it sprouts, it
spreads very quickly.
common names & nomenclature
Also known as:
peppermint, mentha x piperita, mentha balsamea, brandy mint
