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Peppermint

Mentha × piperita

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Lamiales
Family:
Lamiaceae (Dead-nettle)
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
90 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Ditches, gardens, meadows, roadsides, wasteland, water, waterside.

Flower:
֍
Purple, 4 petals
 
A cylindrical, dense spike, up to 6cm long. The petals are occasionally spotted. Insect-pollinated.
Fruit:
Light brown, hairless nutlet. Rarely appears.
Leaves:
A perennial which is a hybrid between Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata). Peppermint has got opposite, stalked, oval, hairless, toothed leaves.
Aroma:
Smells strongly of mint.
Frequency (UK):
Common  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Mentha × piperita, commonly known as peppermint, is a hybrid mint plant species. It is a cross between watermint and spearmint. It is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and has been widely cultivated for its strong, distinctive aroma and flavor. Peppermint is used in many food and beverage products, as well as in personal care and medicinal products, such as toothpaste and cough drops. The oil of peppermint is also used in aromatherapy and as a natural insect repellent.

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Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map