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Mentha arvensis L.
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Mentha arvensis (field mint (पुदीना/ Pudina,"Podina" in Hindi), wild mint or corn mint) is a species of mint with a circumboreal distribution. It is native to the temperate regions of Europe and western and central Asia, east to the Himalaya and eastern Siberia, and North America.[1][2][3]
Description[edit]
Wild mint is a herbaceous perennial plant generally growing to 10–60 cm (3.9–23.6 in) and rarely up to 100 cm (39 in) tall. It has a creeping rootstock from which grow erect or semi-sprawling squarish stems. The leaves are in opposite pairs, simple, 2–6.5 cm (0.79–2.56 in) long and 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) broad, hairy, and with a coarsely serrated margin. The flowers are pale purple (occasionally white or pink), in whorls on the stem at the bases of the leaves. Each flower is 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) long and has a five-lobed hairy calyx, a four-lobed corolla with the uppermost lobe larger than the others and four stamens. The fruit is a two-chambered carpel.[3][4][5][6]
Subspecies[edit]
There are six subspecies:[1]
- Mentha arvensis subsp. arvensis.
- Mentha arvensis subsp. agrestis (Sole) Briq.
- Mentha arvensis subsp. austriaca (Jacq.) Briq.
- Mentha arvensis subsp. lapponica (Wahlenb.) Neuman
- Mentha arvensis subsp. palustris (Moench) Neumann
- Mentha arvensis subsp. parietariifolia (Becker) Briq.
The related species Mentha canadensis is also included in M. arvensis by some authors as two varieties, M. arvensis var. glabrata Fernald (in reference to North American plants) and M. arvensis var. piperascens Malinv. ex L. H. Bailey (in reference to eastern Asian plants).[7][8]
Uses[edit]
In ayurveda, Pudina is considered as appetizer and useful in gastric troubles.[9] In Europe, wild mint was traditionally used to treat flatulence, digestional problems, gall bladder problems and coughs. The Aztecs used it for similar purposes and also to induce sweating and they used the infusion to cure insomnia. The oil was extracted and rubbed into the skin for aches and pains. The Native Americans also used it in several traditional ways. Nowadays it is used in many countries for various ailments. Mint extracts and menthol-related chemicals are used in food, drinks, cough medicines, creams and cigarettes.[10]
Chemical substances that can be extracted from wild mint include menthol, menthone, isomenthone, neomenthol, limonene, methyl acetate, piperitone, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, tannins and flavonoids.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Euro+Med Plantbase Project: Mentha arvensis
- ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Mentha arvensis
- ^ a b Flora of NW Europe: Mentha arvensis
- ^ Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2
- ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ "Corn mint: Mentha arvensis". NatureGate. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
- ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Mentha canadensis
- ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (1947). CRC World dictionary of plant names: Common names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synyonyms, and Etymology. III M-Q. CRC Press. p. 1659.
- ^ Khalsa, Karta Purkh Singh; Tierra, Michael (2008). The way of ayurvedic herbs : the most complete guide to natural healing and health with traditional ayurvedic herbalism (1st ed. ed.). Twin Lakes, Wis.: Lotus. p. 313. ISBN 0940985985.
- ^ a b "Mentha Arvensis Piperascens". Boston Healing Landscape Project. Boston University School of Medicine. Retrieved 2013-12-12.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mentha arvensis. |
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Wikipedia |
Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mentha_arvensis&oldid=623006906 |
"Notes: Plains, Cultivated, Native of Mediterranean Region"
The preference is full sun to light shade, and moist conditions with rich organic soil. This plant likes low-lying open grassy areas. It is little bothered by disease, and can be very aggressive.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/wild_mintx.htm |
Field Mint occurs primarily in central and northern Illinois, where it is occasional; this species also occurs in scattered counties of southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). The most common variety is Mentha arvensis villosa, which is believed to be native. The typical Eurasian variety also occurs in the same general area, but it is less common. Habitats include edges of marshes, fens, borders of lakes, moist prairies and grassy areas, and miscellaneous waste areas, including landfills. The rhizomes of this plant can survive earth-moving operations and produce new foliage if they remain near the surface of the ground. Field Mint is most often encountered in disturbed areas.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/wild_mintx.htm |
Canada
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
United States
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Mentha+arvensis |
Comments: In North America, both native and naturalized (Fernald, 1950).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Mentha+arvensis |
Maharashtra: Thane Tamil Nadu: All districts
Chile Central
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Pablo Gutierrez, IABIN |
Source | No source database. |
Europe, west to China, N. America.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=110&taxon_id=242416834 |
1200-2000 m
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=110&taxon_id=242416834 |