Mentha spicata

Species category

Herb or Spice, Weed

Common name

spearmint, bush mint

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

NutletNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).

Shape

ObovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 0.6–0.7 mm
  • Width 0.4–0.5 mm
  • Thickness 0.3–0.4 mm

Color

Black

Texture

Stippled

Other structures

ApicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
end moderately pointed

Identification notes

BasalBasal:
The base of the fruit or seed opposite the apical end.
attachment with two lateral indentations.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Lamiaceae

Valid name

Mentha spicata L.

Synonyms

Mentha cordifolia Lej. & Courtois auct.
Mentha longifolia auct. non (L.) Huds.
Mentha longifolia var. mollissima (Borkh.) Rouy
Mentha longifolia var. undulata (Willd.) Fiori
Mentha sylvestris L.
Mentha spicata var. longifolia L.
Mentha spicata var. spicata L.
Mentha viridis L.

 Mentha spicata . Stippled nutlets with a basal attachment with two lateral indentations.
Mentha spicata. Stippled nutlets with a basal attachment with two lateral indentations.