Difference between revisions of "Spearmint" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Spearmint''', or '''spear mint''',  is the common name for a species of [[mint]], '''''Mentha spicata''''', characterized by oblong or lance-shaped serrated leaves and a tapering cluster of small purplish flowers. This [[herbaceous]], [[rhizome|rhizomatous]], [[perennial plant]] is native to [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It is well-known for an [[essential oil]] that is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
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'''''Mentha spicata''''' ('''Spear Mint''' or '''Spearmint''') is a species of [[Mentha|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.<ref name=empp>Euro+Med Plantbase Project: [http://ww2.bgbm.org/_EuroPlusMed/PTaxonDetail.asp?NameId=111945&PTRefFk=500000 ''Mentha spicata'']</ref><ref name=blamey>Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). ''Flora of Britain and Northern Europe''. ISBN 0-340-40170-2</ref>
 
  
  
  
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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 [[leaf|leaves]] are 5–9 cm long and 1.5–3 cm broad, with a serrated margin. Spearmint produces [[flower]]s in slender spikes, each flower pink or white, 2.5–3 mm long and broad.<ref name=blamey/><ref name=rhs>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.</ref>
 
  
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[[Hybrid (biology)|Hybrid]]s 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]]'').<ref name=blamey/>
 
  
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:'''Peppermint''' is an aromatic, usually [[infertility|sterile]], natural [[hybrid]] plant ''(Mentha × piperita)'' that is a cross between [[watermint]] ''(Mentha aquatica)'' and [[spearmint]] ''(Mentha spicata)'' and that spreads by rooting.
 
  
 
==Overview and description==
 
==Overview and description==
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*'''mint''' is the common name for any of the various [[herbaceous]] [[plant]]s comprising the genus '''''Mentha''''', a [[taxon]] of about 25 [[species]] of aromatic, almost exclusively [[perennial plant]]s in the mint family [[Lamiaceae]]. They are characterized by wide-spreading, underground [[rhizome]]s; erect, square, branched stems; paired, oppositely arranged [[leaf|leaves]]; and small, tubular [[flower]]s arranged in clusters.  
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Spearmint, ''Mentha spicata'', is one of about 25 species of [[herbaceous]] [[plant]]s in the ''Mentha'' genus and Lamiaceae family. Members of this [[genus]] are aromatic, almost exclusively [[perennial plant]]s and are known as the [[mint]]s. (or "true mints," to distinguish them from the other members of the mint family, Lamiaceae). The true mints are characterized by wide-spreading, underground [[rhizome]]s; paired, oppositely arranged [[leaf|leaves]]; small, tubular [[flower]]s arranged in clusters, and square stems. All ''Mentha'' species are characterized by an [[essential oil]] (volatile oil) in resinous dots in the foliage.  
  
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: '''''Mentha''''' ('''mint''') is a [[genus]] of about 25 [[species]] (and many hundreds of [[Variety (botany)|varieties]]) (Davidson 1999). Species within ''Mentha'' have a [[cosmopolitan distribution|subcosmopolitan]] distribution across [[Europe]], [[Africa]], [[Asia]] (Brickell and Zuk 1997), [[Australia]], and [[North America]]. Several mint [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s commonly occur.
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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 best in rich, wet soils and semi-shade (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 1989; Hanrahan and Frey 2005).  
  
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: True mints are aromatic, almost exclusively [[perennial plant|perennial]], rarely [[annual plant|annual]], [[herb]]s. They have wide-spreading underground [[rhizome]]s and erect, branched stems. The [[leaf|leaves]] are arranged in opposite pairs, from simple [[leaf shape|oblong]] to lanceolate, often downy, and with a serrated margin. Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue and sometimes pale yellow (Brickell and Zuk 1997). The [[flower]]s are produced in clusters ('verticils') on an erect, terminal spike or in separate wholes, and are white to purple. The flowers have a [[corolla]] with two lips with four subequal lobes, the upper lobe usually the largest. The [[fruit]] is a small dry [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] containing one to four [[seed]]s. All ''Mentha'' species are characterized by an [[essential oil]] (volatile oil) in resinous dots in the foliage.  
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Spearmint is a hardy perennial [[herb]] that grows to about 30 to 100 centimeters (12-39 inches) in height and has a wide-spreading fleshy underground [[rhizome]]. The [[leaf|leaves]] are bright green, veined, about 5 to 9 centimeters (2-3.5 inches) long and 1.5 to 3 centimeters (0.6-1 inches) broad, with a serrated margin, that is unevenly toothed. The stems and foliage range from hairless to hairy. Spearmint produces small [[flower]]s in slender spikes, clustered at the tip of the green or purple stem, and tapering to nearly a point. The central spike may be flanked by one or more flowering stems. Each flower is from pale to deep violet in color and about 2.5 to 3 millimeters long and broad. Each of the small, tubular flowers has two long and two short stamens. The seeds are tiny, round, and brown (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 1989; Hanrahan and Frey 2005; Huxley 1992).
  
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A major component of the oil is R-[[Carvone]]; pure R-Carvone is sufficient to produce a smell which people identify as a spearmint smell.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/1971/19/i04/f-pdf/f_jf60176a035.pdf?sessid=6006l3 | title=Chemical and sensory data supporting the difference between the odors of the enantiomeric carvones | author=TJ Leitereg, DG Guadagni, J Harris, TR Mon, ... | journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry | volume=19 | issue=4 | year=1971 | pages=785 | doi=10.1021/jf60176a035}}</ref>
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There are many [[Hybrid (biology)|Hybrid]]s involving spearmint. [[Peppermint]] is an aromatic, natural [[hybrid]], ''(Mentha × piperita'', that is a cross between [[watermint]] ''(Mentha aquatica)'' and spearmint. Other hybrids with spearmint include  ''Mentha × gracilis'' (ginger mint, syn. ''M. cardiaca''; hybrid with ''[[Mentha arvensis]]'') and ''Mentha × villosa'' (large apple mint, hybrid with ''[[Mentha suaveolens]]'') (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 1989).
  
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The name 'spear' mint derives from the pointed leaf tips.<ref name=turner>[[William Turner|Turner, W.]] (1568). ''Herbal''. Cited in the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]''.</ref>
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A major component of the essential oil of spearmint is R-[[Carvone]]; pure R-Carvone is sufficient to produce a smell which people identify as a spearmint smell (Leitereg et al. 1971).
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The name ''spear''mint derives from the pointed leaf tips (Turner 1568).
  
 
==Cultivation and uses==
 
==Cultivation and uses==
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==References==
 
==References==
  
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{{reflist}}
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.<ref name=blamey>Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). ''Flora of Britain and Northern Europe''. ISBN 0-340-40170-2</ref>
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* Hanrahan, C., and R. J. Frey. 2005. Spearmint. In J. L. Longe, ''The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.'' Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson/Gale.  ISBN 0787693960.
 
* Hanrahan, C., and R. J. Frey. 2005. Spearmint. In J. L. Longe, ''The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.'' Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson/Gale.  ISBN 0787693960.
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<ref name=blamey/><ref name=rhs>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.</ref>
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<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/1971/19/i04/f-pdf/f_jf60176a035.pdf?sessid=6006l3 | title=Chemical and sensory data supporting the difference between the odors of the enantiomeric carvones | author=TJ Leitereg, DG Guadagni, J Harris, TR Mon, ... | journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry | volume=19 | issue=4 | year=1971 | pages=785 | doi=10.1021/jf60176a035}}</ref>
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<ref name=turner>[[William Turner|Turner, W.]] (1568). ''Herbal''. Cited in the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]''.</ref>
  
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==

Revision as of 23:05, 5 January 2009

"Spearmint" redirects here.
Mentha spicata
Foliage
Foliage
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked) Eudicots
(unranked) Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Mentha
Species: M. spicata
Binomial name
Mentha spicata
L.

Spearmint, or spear mint, is the common name for a species of mint, Mentha spicata, characterized by oblong or lance-shaped serrated leaves and a tapering cluster of small purplish flowers. This herbaceous, rhizomatous, perennial plant is native to Europe and Asia. It is well-known for an essential oil that is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes.


Overview and description

Spearmint, Mentha spicata, is one of about 25 species of herbaceous plants in the Mentha genus and Lamiaceae family. Members of this genus are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial plants and are known as the mints. (or "true mints," to distinguish them from the other members of the mint family, Lamiaceae). The true mints are characterized by wide-spreading, underground rhizomes; paired, oppositely arranged leaves; small, tubular flowers arranged in clusters, and square stems. All Mentha species are characterized by an essential oil (volatile oil) in resinous dots in the foliage.

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 best in rich, wet soils and semi-shade (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 1989; Hanrahan and Frey 2005).

Spearmint is a hardy perennial herb that grows to about 30 to 100 centimeters (12-39 inches) in height and has a wide-spreading fleshy underground rhizome. The leaves are bright green, veined, about 5 to 9 centimeters (2-3.5 inches) long and 1.5 to 3 centimeters (0.6-1 inches) broad, with a serrated margin, that is unevenly toothed. The stems and foliage range from hairless to hairy. Spearmint produces small flowers in slender spikes, clustered at the tip of the green or purple stem, and tapering to nearly a point. The central spike may be flanked by one or more flowering stems. Each flower is from pale to deep violet in color and about 2.5 to 3 millimeters long and broad. Each of the small, tubular flowers has two long and two short stamens. The seeds are tiny, round, and brown (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 1989; Hanrahan and Frey 2005; Huxley 1992).

There are many Hybrids involving spearmint. Peppermint is an aromatic, natural hybrid, (Mentha × piperita, that is a cross between watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint. Other hybrids with spearmint include Mentha × gracilis (ginger mint, syn. M. cardiaca; hybrid with Mentha arvensis) and Mentha × villosa (large apple mint, hybrid with Mentha suaveolens) (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 1989).

A major component of the essential oil of spearmint is R-Carvone; pure R-Carvone is sufficient to produce a smell which people identify as a spearmint smell (Leitereg et al. 1971).

The name spearmint derives from the pointed leaf tips (Turner 1568).

Cultivation and uses

Spearmint is grown for its aromatic and carminative oil, referred to as oil of spearmint. It grows well in nearly all temperate climates. Gardeners often grow it in pots or planters due to its invasive spreading roots. The plant prefers partial shade, but can flourish in full sun to mostly shade. Spearmint is best suited to loamy soils with plenty of organic material. Spearmint leaves can be used whole, chopped, dried and ground, frozen, preserved in salt, sugar, sugar syrup, alcohol, oil, or dried. The leaves lose their aromatic appeal after the plant flowers. Dry it by cutting just before, or right (at peak) as the flowers open, about 1/2 to 3/4ths the way down the sock (leaving smaller shoots room to grow). There is some dispute as to what drying method works best; some prefer different materials (such as plastic or cloth) and different lighting conditions (such as darkness or sunlight).

The cultivar Mentha spicata 'Nana', the Nana mint of Morocco, possesses a clear, pungent, but mild aroma and is an essential ingredient of Touareg Tea.

Spearmint is an ingredient in several mixed drinks, such as the mojito and mint julep. It is used as a flavoring for toothpaste and confectionery, and is sometimes added to shampoos and soaps. In herbalism, spearmint is steeped as tea for the treatment of stomach ache.

Recent research has shown that spearmint tea may be used as a treatment for mild hirsutism in women. Its anti-androgenic properties reduce the level of free testosterone in the blood, while leaving total testosterone and DHEA unaffected.[1]

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

.[2]


  • Hanrahan, C., and R. J. Frey. 2005. Spearmint. In J. L. Longe, The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson/Gale. ISBN 0787693960.

[2][3]

[4]

[5]

Gallery

  • Plant in flower

  • flowers

  • 1887 illustration


Herbs and spices
Herbs Angelica • Basil • Basil, holy • Basil, Thai • Bay leaf • Boldo • Borage • Cannabis • Chervil • Chives • Coriander leaf (cilantro) • Curry leaf • Dill • Epazote • Eryngium foetidum (long coriander) • Hoja santa • Houttuynia cordata (giấp cá) • Hyssop • Lavender • Lemon balm • Lemon grass • Lemon verbena • Limnophila aromatica (rice paddy herb) • Lovage • Marjoram • Mint • Mitsuba • Oregano • Parsley • Perilla (shiso) • Rosemary • Rue • Sage • Savory • Sorrel • Stevia • Tarragon • Thyme • Vietnamese coriander (rau răm) • Woodruff
Spices African pepper • Ajwain (bishop's weed) • Aleppo pepper • Allspice • Amchur (mango powder) • Anise • Aromatic ginger • Asafoetida • Camphor • Caraway • Cardamom • Cardamom, black • Cassia • Cayenne pepper • Celery seed • Chili • Cinnamon • Clove • Coriander seed • Cubeb • Cumin • Cumin, black • Dill seed • Fennel • Fenugreek • Fingerroot (krachai) • Galangal, greater • Galangal, lesser • Garlic • Ginger • Grains of Paradise • Horseradish • Juniper berry • Liquorice • Mace • Mahlab • Malabathrum (tejpat) • Mustard, black • Mustard, brown • Mustard, white • Nasturtium • Nigella (kalonji) • Nutmeg • Paprika • Pepper, black • Pepper, green • Pepper, long • Pepper, pink, Brazilian • Pepper, pink, Peruvian • Pepper, white • Pomegranate seed (anardana) • Poppy seed • Saffron • Sarsaparilla • Sassafras • Sesame • Sichuan pepper (huājiāo, sansho) • Star anise • Sumac • Tasmanian pepper • Tamarind • Turmeric • Wasabi • Zedoary

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  1. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6376599.stm Tea 'controls female facial hair growth'
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2
  3. ↑ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
  4. ↑ TJ Leitereg, DG Guadagni, J Harris, TR Mon, ... (1971). Chemical and sensory data supporting the difference between the odors of the enantiomeric carvones. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 19 (4): 785.
  5. ↑ Turner, W. (1568). Herbal. Cited in the Oxford English Dictionary.
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