Mentha arvensis

Species category

Weed

Common name

wild mint, field 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

OvateOvate:
Egg-shaped with basal end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 0.6 mm
  • Width 0.3 mm
  • Thickness 0.3 mm

Color

Light brown

Texture

Smooth

Other structures

Double scar area at base is as wide as the 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).
.

Identification notes

NutletsNutlet:
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).
often show two points of attachment to the flower base. Here, the two points are touching but form an angle where they join. They are quite broad with respect to the 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).
size.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Lamiaceae

Valid name

Mentha arvensis L.

Synonyms

Mentha arvensis ssp. borealis (Michx.) Roy L. Taylor & MacBryde
Mentha arvensis ssp. haplocalyx Briq.
Mentha arvensis var. canadensis (L.) Kuntze
Mentha arvensis var. glabrata (Benth.) Fernald
Mentha arvensis var. lanata Piper
Mentha arvensis var. sativa auct. non Benth.
Mentha arvensis var. villosa (Benth.) S.R. Stewart
Mentha × gentilis L.
Mentha canadensis L.
Mentha gentilis L.
Mentha glabrior (Hook.) Rydb.
Mentha penardii (Briq.) Rydb.

From Left to Right: 1.  Salvia azurea  var . grandiflora  2.  Dracocephalum parviflora  3.  Salvia reflexa  4.  Nepeta cataria 5. Monarda punctata  6.  Mentha arvensis.  Nutlets with two points of attachment to the flower base.
From Left to Right: 1. Salvia azurea var. grandiflora 2. Dracocephalum parviflora 3. Salvia reflexa 4. Nepeta cataria 5. Monarda punctata 6. Mentha arvensis. Nutlets with two points of attachment to the flower base.