Common Name: Corsican Mint

General Information

Mentha requienii is a low-growing, very aromatic perennial plant, with creeping stems that root at their nodes to form a mat of growth up to 10cm tall, but more commonly to 5cm[].
The planIt is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, large quantities of some members of this genus, especially when taken in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so some caution is advised.

Botanical References

Range

Mediterranean - Corsica, Sardinia, Italy

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.05 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Mentha requienii is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[]
Succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[]. Prefers rich, light, moist but well-drained soils in full sun to part shade[]. This species of mint will grow in drier soils than the other mints[], but is intolerant of drought[]. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but it also succeeds in partial shade. Prefers a shady position[]. Fairly tolerant of being walked on, it grows well in the cracks of paving stones and also as a lawn with thyme and camomile[].
This species is not hardy in all areas of Britain[]. However, the plant usually self-sows even when the parent plant is killed by frost[].
The whole plant is strongly aromatic with a peppermint aroma[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. A very strong peppermint-like aroma, it is used as a flavouring in salads, cooked foods and liqueurs[].
A herb tea is made from the leaves.

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[]. The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and can be dried for later use[].
The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses[].

Agroforestry Uses:

An ornamental ground cover plant[, ].
Mint species are usually good bee and butterfly attractant plants, supplying them with good quality pollen and nectar[]
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

An essential oil with a strong peppermint scent is obtained from the whole plant.

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[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will 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[].
Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.