Apple mint (sometimes called woolly mint) (Mentha suaveolens; syn. M. rotundifolia; syn. Mentha macrostachya Ten.; syn. Mentha insularis Req.) is a member of the mint genus Mentha that ranges through southern and western Europe and the western Mediterranean region. It is a herbaceous, upright perennial plant that is most commonly grown as a culinary herb and/or ground cover.
It typically grows to 40-100 cm tall and spreads by rhizomes to form clonal colonies. The foliage is light green, with the opposite, sessile leaves being oblong to nearly ovate, 3-5 cm long and 2-4 cm broad. They are somewhat hairy on top and downy underneath with serrated edges.
Apple mint flowers in mid to late summer with light purple-pink flowers.
Cultivation and Uses
An attractive herb, Apple mint is often used as an ornamental plant. It is hardy and easy to grow, preferring full-sun to lightly-shady conditions.
The leaves of this plant can be used to make Apple mint jelly, as well as a flavoring in dishes such as Apple mint couscous. It is also often used to make a mint tea, as a garnish, or in salads.
Pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata') is a cultivar of Apple mint that has leaves which are banded with white. A hybrid derived from it is Grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens x piperata).
External links and References
- Pink, A. (2004). Gardening for the Million.. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
- Natural History Museum: Mentha suaveolens
- Plants for a Future: Mentha suaveolens
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Last updated on Thursday July 17, 2008 at 08:31:12 PDT (GMT -0700)
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