Mentha × rotundifolia
(L.) Huds.
Lamiaceae
A fertile diploid hybrid of Mentha longifolia (L.) L. and Mentha suaveolens Ehrh., it is often misinterpreted as Mentha × villosa Huds. or Mentha suaveolens Ehrh.[
].
Mentha × ambigua Personnat
Mentha × burckhardtiana Opiz
Mentha × fragrans C.Presl
Mentha × niliaca Jacq.
Mentha × rotundifolia microdonta Briq.
Mentha spicata rotundifolia L.
Common Name: False Applemint
General Information
Mentha × rotundifolia is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a spreading, rhizomatous rootstock. It produces a cluster of stems
The plant is sometimes cultivated on a garden scale for its leaves which are used as a flavouring. and as a domesic herbal remedy for minor complaints such as stomach upsets.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Europe - Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain; Asia - (Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kirgizstan, Altay; N. Africa - Morocco
Habitat
Not known
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Habit | Perennial |
Height | 0.50 m |
Pollinators | Bees, Lepidoptera, Insects |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Mint species generally succeed in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry, preferring slightly acid conditions[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
16- Title
- New Vegetable Growers Handbook.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Simons.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-050-0
- Description
- A good guide to growing vegetables in temperate areas, not entirely organic.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. They usually grow well in heavy clay soils. Essential oil production is best when the plant is in a sunny position, though the plants also succeed in partial shade.
False apple mint is a rare garden plant in western and central Europe; in Great Britain it is also an established garden escape[
].
Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will often not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
This is a morphologically variable plant[
].
Edible Uses
Used as pot herb and for herbal tea[
].
Medicinal
A tea made from the leaves of most mint species has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and various minor ailments[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
].
The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and can be dried for later use[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
The essential oil in the leaves of mints is antiseptic, though it can be toxic in larger doses[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
Mint species are usually good bee and butterfly attractant plants, supplying them with good quality pollen and nectar[
24- Title
- Making a Wildlife Garden.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Baines. C.
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
]
Mints are usually quite aromatic plants and they make good companions for cabbages and tomatoes, their aromatic nature helping to repel insect pests..
Other Uses
Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. Members of the genus have therefore often been used in homes as strewing herbs and have also been spread in granaries to keep rodents off the stored grain[
244- Title
- Herbs
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips. R. & Foy. N.
- Publisher
- Pan Books Ltd. London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-330-30725-8
- Description
- Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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