Spearmint

File:Spearmint in Bangladesh 03.jpg

Spearmint is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is {{cvt|30|–|100|cm|in}} tall, with variably hairless to hairy stems and foliage, and a wide-spreading fleshy underground rhizome from which it grows. The leaves are {{cvt|5|–|9|cm|in|frac=4}} long and {{cvt|1.5|–|3|cm|in|frac=4}} broad, with a serrated margin. The stem is square-shaped, a defining characteristic of the mint family of herbs. Spearmint produces flowers in slender spikes, each flower pink or white in colour, {{cvt|2.5|–|3|mm|in}} long and broad.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan {{ISBN|0-333-47494-5}}.{{page needed|date=February 2013}} Spearmint flowers in the summer (from July to September in the northern hemisphere),{{Cite journal|last1=Vokou|first1=D.|last2=Kokkini|first2=S.|date=1989-04-01|title=Mentha spicata (Lamiaceae) chemotypes growing wild in Greece|journal=Economic Botany|language=en|volume=43|issue=2|pages=192–202|doi=10.1007/BF02859860|s2cid=32109061|issn=1874-9364}} and has relatively large seeds, which measure {{cvt|0.62|-|0.90|mm}}. The name spear mint derives from the pointed leaf tips.Turner, W. (1568). Herbal. Cited in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Mentha spicata varies considerably in leaf blade dimensions, the prominence of leaf veins, and pubescence.{{Cite web|url=https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/mentha/spicata/|title=Mentha spicata (spearmint): Go Botany|website=gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org|access-date=2018-12-10|archive-date=2019-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518072049/https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/mentha/spicata/|url-status=live}}

Mentha spicata was first described scientifically by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The epithet spicata means 'bearing a spike'.{{Cite book |first=W.T. |last=Stearn |year=2004 |title=Botanical Latin |edition=4th (p/b) |location=Portland, Oregon |isbn=978-0-7153-1643-6 |publisher=Timber Press}} p. 499. The species has two accepted subspecies, each of which has acquired a large number of synonyms:{{cite POWO |id=451162-1 |title=Mentha spicata L. |access-date=5 December 2024}}

• Mentha spicata subsp. condensata (Briq.) Greuter & Burdet – eastern Mediterranean, from Italy to Egypt
• Mentha spicata subsp. spicata – distribution as for the species as a whole

The plant is an allopolyploid species (2n = 48),{{cite book | editor-last=Kadereit | editor-first=Joachim W. | series=The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants | title=Flowering Plants · Dicotyledons | publisher=Springer Berlin Heidelberg | publication-place=Berlin, Heidelberg | year=2004 | isbn=978-3-642-62200-7 | doi=10.1007/978-3-642-18617-2 | page=176 | volume=VII| s2cid=46574312 }}{{cite journal | last1=Harley | first1=R. M. | last2=Brighton | first2=C. A. | title=Chromosome numbers in the genus Mentha L. | journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society | publisher=Linnean Society of London (OUP) | volume=74 | issue=1 | year=1977 | issn=0024-4074 | doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.1977.tb01168.x | pages=71–96}} which could be a result of hybridization and chromosome doubling. Mentha longifolia and Mentha suaveolens (2n = 24) are likely to be the contributing diploid species.{{Cite book|last=Harley|first=R. M.|date=1972|contribution=Mentha|title=Flora Europaea|volume=3}}

Mentha spicata hybridizes with other Mentha species, forming hybrids such as:{{cite book |first1=Arthur O. |last1=Tucker |first2=Robert F. C. |last2=Naczi |year=2007 |chapter=Mentha: An Overview of its Classification and Relationships |pages=1–39 |editor1-first=Brian M. |editor1-last=Lawrence |title=Mint: The Genus Mentha |publisher=CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group |location=Boca Raton, Florida |isbn=978-0-8493-0779-9}}

• Mentha × piperita (hybrid with Mentha aquatica), black peppermint, hairy peppermint
• Mentha × gracilis (hybrid with Mentha arvensis), Scotch spearmint
• Mentha × villosa (hybrid with Mentha suaveolens)

There are several commonly availableRoyal Horticultural Society plant finder and selector https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-results?form-mode=true&query=Mentha%20spicata varieties and cultivars of Mentha spicata:

• M. spicata var. crispa (syn. M. spicata 'Crispa') – with very crinkled leaves.
• M. spicata var. crispa 'Moroccan' – with crinkled leaves and white flowers.
• M. spicata 'Tashkent' – with slightly crinkled leaves.
• M. spicata 'Spanish' – with mauve-pink flowers.

Mention of spearmint dates back to at least the 1st century AD, with references from naturalist Pliny and mentions in the Bible.{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/spearmint|title=Spearmint {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=2018-12-10|archive-date=2018-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211095601/https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/spearmint|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourherbgarden.com/herb-history/mint.html|title=Mint|date=2013-03-02|website=Our Herb Garden|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-10|archive-date=2023-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219171826/http://www.ourherbgarden.com/herb-history/mint.html}} Further records show descriptions of mint in ancient mythology. Findings of early versions of toothpaste using mint in the 14th century suggest widespread domestication by this point. It was introduced into England by the Romans by the 5th century, and the "Father of British Botany", of the surname Turner, mentions mint as being good for the stomach. John Gerard's Herbal (1597) states that: "It is good against watering eyes and all manner of break outs on the head and sores. "It is applied with salt to the biting of mad dogs," and that "They lay it on the stinging of wasps and bees with good success." He also mentions that "the smell rejoices the heart of man", for which reason they used to strew it in chambers and places of recreation, pleasure, and repose, where feasts and banquets are made."{{cite book|title=A Modern Herbal: The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs, & Trees with All Their Modern Scientific Uses, Volume 2|author=Grieve, Maud|year=1971}}

Spearmint is documented as being an important cash crop in Connecticut during the period of the American Revolution, at which time mint tea was noted as being a popular drink due to it not being taxed.

Spearmint can readily adapt to grow in various types of soil. Spearmint tends to thrive with plenty of organic material in full sun to part shade. The plant is also known to be found in moist habitats such as swamps or creeks, where the soil is sand or clay.{{cite web |last1=Cao |first1=L. |first2=L. |last2=Berent |first3=R. |last3=Sturtevant |title=Mentha spicata L. |work=U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI |url=https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2671&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DHuron |date=2014-07-01 |access-date=2018-12-04 |archive-date=2018-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205103433/https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2671&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DHuron |url-status=live }}

Spearmint ideally thrives in soils that are deep, well-drained, moist, rich in nutrients and organic matter, and have a crumbly texture. The pH range should be between 6.0 and 7.5.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/vegetables/commodity-growing-guides/mint-growing|title=Mint growing|date=2007-10-23|website=www.dpi.nsw.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2018-12-05|archive-date=2018-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205105126/https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/vegetables/commodity-growing-guides/mint-growing|url-status=live}}

Fungal diseases are common diseases in spearmint. Two main diseases are rust and leaf spot. Puccinia menthae is a fungus that causes the disease called "rust". Rust affects the leaves of spearmint by producing pustules inducing the leaves to fall off. Leaf spot is a fungal disease that occurs when Alternaria alernata is present on the spearmint leaves. The infection looks like circular dark spot on the top side of the leaf. Other fungi that cause disease in spearmint are Rhizoctonia solani, Verticillium dahliae, Phoma strasseri, and Erysiphe cischoracearum.{{cite journal|first1=A.|last1=Kalra|first2=H. B.|last2=Singh|first3=R.|last3=Pandey|first4=A.|last4=Samad|first5=N. K.|last5=Patra|first6=Sushil|last6=Kumar|date=2005|title=Diseases in Mint: Causal Organisms, Distribution, and Control Measures|journal=Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants|volume=11|issue=1–2|pages=71–91|doi=10.1300/J044v11n01_03|s2cid=84328718}}

Some nematode diseases in spearmint include root knot and root lesions. Nematode species that cause root knots in this plant are various Meloidogyne species. The other nematode species are Pratylenchus which cause root lesions.

Spearmint can be infected by tobacco ringspot virus. This virus can lead to stunted plant growth and deformation of the leaves in this plant. In China, spearmint have been seen with mosaic symptoms and deformed leaves. This is an indication that the plant can also be infected by the viruses, cucumber mosaic and tomato aspermy.

Spearmint grows well in nearly all temperate climates.{{Cite web |title=Spearmint |url=https://www.plantgrower.org/spearmint.html |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=www.plantgrower.org |language=en}} Gardeners often grow it in pots or planters due to its invasive, spreading rhizomes.{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/aggressive-garden-plants.htm |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=www.gardeningknowhow.com|date=14 June 2021 }}

Spearmint leaves can be used fresh, dried, or frozen.{{Cite web |title=4 Ways to Preserve Fresh Mint for Later |url=https://www.thekitchn.com/gardening-101-how-to-preserve-fresh-mint-for-later-220864 |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=Kitchn |language=en}} The leaves lose their aromatic appeal after the plant flowers. It can be dried by cutting just before, or right (at peak) as the flowers open, about one-half to three-quarters the way down the stalk (leaving smaller shoots room to grow).{{Cite web |date=2016-01-19 |title=Growing Mint Plants |url=https://maplesnmore.com/blog/growing-mint-plants/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=Maples N More Nursery |language=en-US}} Some dispute exists 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 leaves can also be preserved in salt, sugar, sugar syrup, alcohol, or oil.

Spearmint is used for its aromatic oil, called oil of spearmint. The most abundant compound in spearmint oil is R-(–)-carvone, which gives spearmint its distinctive smell. Spearmint oil also contains significant amounts of limonene, dihydrocarvone, and 1,8-cineol.{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/jsfa.4021 |title=Seasonal variation in content, chemical composition and antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of essential oils from four Mentha species |year=2010 |last1=Hussain |first1=Abdullah I. |last2=Anwar |first2=Farooq |last3=Nigam |first3=Poonam S. |last4=Ashraf |first4=Muhammad |last5=Gilani |first5=Anwarul H. |journal=Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture |pmid=20602517 |pages=1827–1836 |volume=90 |issue=11 |bibcode=2010JSFA...90.1827H |s2cid=22702699 |doi-access=free }} Unlike oil of peppermint, oil of spearmint contains minimal amounts of menthol and menthone. It is used as a flavouring for toothpaste and confectionery, and is sometimes added to shampoos and soaps.

Spearmint has been used in traditional medicine.

Spearmint essential oil has had success as a larvicide against mosquitoes. Using spearmint as a larvicide would be a greener alternative to synthetic insecticides due to their toxicity and negative effect to the environment.{{Cite journal|last1=Yogalakshmi|first1=K.|last2=Rajeswari|first2=M.|last3=Sivakumar|first3=R.|last4=Govindarajan|first4=M.|date=2012-05-01|title=Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oil from Mentha spicata (Linn.) against three mosquito species|journal=Parasitology Research|language=en|volume=110|issue=5|pages=2023–2032|doi=10.1007/s00436-011-2731-7|pmid=22139403|s2cid=12022813|issn=1432-1955}}

Used as a fumigant, spearmint essential oil is an effective insecticide against adult moths.{{cite journal|last1=Eliopoulos |first1=P. A. |last2=Hassiotis |first2=C. N. |last3=Andreadis |first3=S. S. |last4=Porichi |first4=A. E. |year=2015|title=Fumigant toxicity of essential oils from basil and spearmint against two major Pyralid pests of stored products|journal=Journal of Economic Entomology|volume=108|issue=2|pages=805–810|doi=10.1093/jee/tov029|pmid=26470193|s2cid=36828154 |doi-access=free }}

Spearmint has been used for its supposed antimicrobial activity, which may be related to carvone.{{Cite journal|last1=Hussain|first1=Abdullah I.|last2=Anwar|first2=Farooq|last3=Shahid|first3=Muhammad|last4=Ashraf|first4=Muhammad|date=September 2008|title=Chemical Composition, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil of Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) From Pakistan|journal=Journal of Essential Oil Research|language=en|volume=22|issue=1|pages=78–84|doi=10.1080/10412905.2010.9700269|s2cid=94606965|issn=1041-2905}} Its in vitro antibacterial activity has been compared to that of amoxicillin, penicillin, and streptomycin. Spearmint oil is found to have higher activity against gram-positive bacteria compared to gram-negative bacteria in vitro, which may be due to differing sensitivities to oils.{{Cite journal|last=Gullace|first=M.|date=2007-01-01|title=Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the essential oils and methanol extract from Mentha longifolia L. ssp. longifolia|journal=Food Chemistry|language=en|volume=103|issue=4|pages=1449–1456|doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.10.061|issn=0308-8146}}{{Cite journal|last1=Sivropoulou|first1=Afroditi|last2=Kokkini|first2=Stella|last3=Lanaras|first3=Thomas|last4=Arsenakis|first4=Minas|date=1995-09-01|title=Antimicrobial activity of mint essential oils|journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry|volume=43|issue=9|pages=2384–2388|doi=10.1021/jf00057a013|issn=0021-8561}}

Spearmint leaves are infused in water to make spearmint tea. Spearmint is an ingredient of Maghrebi mint tea. Grown in the mountainous regions of Morocco, this variety of mint possesses a clear, pungent, but mild aroma.{{cite book|last=Richardson|first=Lisa Boalt|title=Modern Tea: A Fresh Look at an Ancient Beverage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4QVpAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA104|year=2014|publisher=Chronicle Books|location=San Francisco|isbn=978-1-4521-3021-7|page=104|access-date=2016-10-13|archive-date=2017-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011170954/https://books.google.com/books?id=4QVpAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA104|url-status=live}} Spearmint is an ingredient in several cocktails, such as the mojito and mint julep. Sweet tea, iced and flavored with spearmint, is a summer tradition in the Southern United States.

File:Mentha spicata, Serbia.jpg|Mentha spicata

Image:mentha spicata 02.jpg|Plant in flower

Image:Flowers of the spearmint.JPG|Flowers

Image:Spearmint flower.jpg|White flowering whorls of a spearmint plant

Image:Mentha spicata 01.jpg

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• {{Commons-inline|Mentha spicata}}
• {{Wikispecies-inline|Mentha spicata}}

{{Herbs & spices}}

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{{Mint}}

spicata

Category:Flora of Europe

Category:Flora of temperate Asia

Category:Essential oils

Category:Garden plants

Category:Herbs

Category:Plants described in 1753