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MENTHA viridis.
Spear Mint.
lLf°]
DID YNAM1A Gymtiospermia.
G en. Char. Cal. 5-cleft. Cor. nearly regular, 4-cleft,
its broadest segment notched. Stamina erect, distant.
Spec. Char. Spikes interrupted. Leaves sessile, lanceolate,
acute, naked. Bracteas bristle-shaped,
somewhat hairy as well as the calyx-teeth. Flow-
erstalks very smooth.
Syn. Mentha viridis. Linn. Sp. PI. 804. Sm. Fl.
Brit. 612. Tr. o f Linn. Soc. v. 5. 185. Huds.
250. With, b21. Hull. ed. 2. 171. Woodv.
t. 170. Sole JWenth. 11. t. 5.
M. angustifolia spicata glabra, folio rugosiore,
odore graviore. Bail Syn. 233.
§P E A R -M IN T of the gardens was observed to be truly wild
in various parts of England by Mr. Hudson and Mr. Sole.
Our specimen was the produce of a root sent by the latter.
The separate leaf and flower came from a more common broader
leaved variety, which is intended in Ray’s Synopsis above
quoted, where other varieties, with broader and more rugged
leaves, a somewhat stronger, less aromatic scent, and hairy
calyx-teeth, (the y and $ of Fl. Brit.) are mentioned. This
spiked species is always known, under all its variations in other
respects, by the perfect nakedness, roundness and polish of its
flowerstalks. The base of the calyx, too, though glandular, is
not hairy. Even its teeth are naked in what makes our principal
figure, which is the real viridis of the above authors.
The whole plant is usually almost smooth. Leaves sessile,
acute, sharply serrated. Flowers in long, taper, interrupted
or whorled spikes, with taper-pointed bracteas, which, like
the calyx and stem, ofien assume a dark-purple hue. Corolla
light purple, smooth. The flavour of the whole is warm and
aromatic, less grateful perhaps than peppermint, but more approved
for salads and sauces.— The herb is perennial, flowering
in August and September.