Mentha x villosa
Scientific name: Mentha x villosa
Family: Lamiaceae
MORPHOLOGY
Habit and size: herbaceous perennial and rhizomatous plant, growing to a height of 60 cm.
Stem: smooth and with a square cross-section.
Leaves: with lanceolate to elliptical blade, acute apex and serrated margin.
Flowers: grouped in light-coloured inflorescences, appear between July and August.
Fruits and seeds: ovoid schizocarp that opens releasing the seeds.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Hybrid between the species Mentha spicata and Mentha suaveolens. It is found along roadsides, banks of watercourses or in thickets, preferring damp soil.
USE
The sweet-tasting, aromatic leaves are used to flavour meat dishes and to prepare herbal teas. It is also cultivated for ornamental purposes.
CURIOSITY
It forms the basic ingredient of the mojito cocktail. That is why it is sometimes vulgarly called mojito mint.
Photo: under free license from INaturalist
