Lamiaceae FAMILY

Mentha aquatica citrata

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this sub-species, it should be noted that, in large quantities, the closely allied M. x piperita vulgaris can cause abortions, especially when used in the form of the extracted essential oil, so it should not be used by pregnant women.

Botanical Description

Mentha aquatica citrata is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.30 metres tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The plant is cultivated on a commercial scale in some countries, and is often planted in home-gardens, especially in Europe, Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba, as an aromatic plant or for the preparation of herbal tea[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeA form probably of garden origin, it is not known in a truly wild situation.

HabitatA natural hybrid, Mentha aquatica x Mentha spicata found in moist soils on the sides of ditches, roadsides etc in southern England[ 5 Title Food for Free. Publication Author Mabey. R. Publisher Collins Year 1974 ISBN 0-00-219060-5 Description Edible wild plants found in Britain. Fairly comprehensive, very few pictures and rather optimistic on the desirability of some of the plants. , 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. ].