species 24,677 observations

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

Field notes

Spearmint (Mentha spicata), also known as garden mint, common mint, lamb mint and mackerel mint, is native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, extending from Ireland in the west to southern China in the east. It is naturalized in many other temperate parts of the world, including northern and southern Africa, North America, and South America. It is used as a flavouring in food and herbal teas. The aromatic oil, called oil of spearmint, is also used as a flavoring and sometimes as a scent.

The species and its subspecies have many synonyms, including Mentha crispa, Mentha crispata, and Mentha viridis.