young shoot icon Home All plants About

Mentha aquatica L.

Water mint (en), Baume d'eau (fr), Baume de rivière (fr), Bonhomme de rivière (fr), Menthe rouge (fr), Riolet (fr), Menthe aquatique (fr), Menthe à grenouilles (fr)

Species

Angiosperms > Lamiales > Lamiaceae > Mentha

Characteristics

Perennial rhizomatous herb; stems ascending to 0.8 m tall or trailing in water to 1.5 m long, subglabrous or sparingly to densely pubescent. Leaves petiolate or rarely subsessile; blade lanceolate to broadly ovate, 20-55 x 5-26 mm, glabrous to fairly densely pubescent, freely gland-dotted, apex acute to acuminate, base cuneate to rounded, margin obscurely to distinctly toothed. Inflorescence terminal, of 1-3(-4) spaced flower clusters up to 20 mm in diameter, the uppermost globose to oblong-capitate, subtended by reduced leaves (bracts), the lower clusters somewhat distant, globose, subtended by normal leaves; bracteoles linear; rhachis and pedicels subglabrous to densely pubescent. Calyx tubular, sparsely to densely pubescent, 3-4 mm long. Corolla pale to deep mauve, pinkish or purple, 5 mm long.
More
Perennial herb, up to 0.8 m high; subglabrous or sparingly to densely pubescent. Leaves lanceolate to broadly-ovate, glabrous to densely pubescent, freely gland-dotted, base cuneate to rounded, apex acute to acuminate, margins obscurely to distinctly toothed. Inflorescences terminal, of 1-4 spaced flower clusters, the uppermost globose to oblong-capitate, subtended by reduced leaves (bracts), the lower clusters distant, globose, subtended by leaves; bracteoles linear. Flowers pale to deep mauve, pinkish or purple; rachis and pedicels subglabrous to densely pubescent. Calyx tubular, sparsely to densely pubescent. Corolla ± 5 mm long. Flowering time Oct.-Apr.
Perennial herb, up to 0.8 m high. Stems ascending or trailing in water, up to 1.5 m long, sparsely to densely pubescent. Leaves petiolate; blade narrowly ovate to broadly ovate, 20-55 x 5-26 mm, apex acute to acuminate, base cuneate to rounded, margins obscurely to distinctly toothed; petioles up to 4 mm long. Flowers: in globose clusters, 1-3 clusters terminal, subtended by bracts, lower clusters in axils of normal leaves; calyx tubular, 3-4 mm long, sparsely to densely pubescent; corolla 5 mm long, pale to deep mauve, pinkish or purple; Jan.-Mar.
Stems 3-8 dm, with recurved hairs; lvs broadly ovate, 3-7 cm, commonly more than half as wide, toothed, rounded or even subcordate at base; fls numerous in 1-3 verticils closely aggregated to form a globose or ovoid to rarely short-cylindric spike; accessory heads on peduncles 2-10 mm may develop from the upper axils; cal and pedicels hairy; 2n=96. Native of Eurasia, found as an escape here and there in our range. A hybrid with no. 8 [Mentha longifolia (L.) L.] is M. ×dumetorum Schult.
A small herb. It grows 90 cm high. It has a thin rhizome. It can be smooth or hairy. The leaves are 2.5-5 cm long. They have teeth around the edge. The leaves are oval or sword shaped. The flowers are at the top of the shoots. They are small and purple in 2-3 rings.
Trailing, mint-scented perennial to 80 cm. Leaves usually petiolate, ovate, toothed. Flowers in distant verticils, pink to purple.
Life form perennial
Growth form herb
Growth support free-standing
Foliage retention deciduous
Sexuality hermaphrodite
Pollination entomogamy
Spread hydrochory
Mature width (meter) 0.75 - 1.0
Mature height (meter) 0.8
Root system rhizome
Rooting depth (meter) -
Root diameter (meter) -
Flower color
Blooming months
JanFebMar
AprMayJun
JulAugSep
OctNovDec
Fruit color -
Fruiting months
JanFebMar
AprMayJun
JulAugSep
OctNovDec
Nitrogen fixer -
Photosynthetic pathway c3

Environment

It is a temperate plant. It grows in marshes and beside running water. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,300 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.
More
Swamps, fen, marshes, near rivers, streams and ponds, in wet woods.
Light 4-9
Soil humidity 4-9
Soil texture 1-6
Soil acidity 2-8
Soil nutriment -
Hardiness (USDA) 6-9

Usage

It is used for flavouring food. It gives a peppermint flavour. It is used with peas, potatoes, egg and cheese dishes and for meat. It is used to make a tea. It is also added to milk for flavouring.
Uses environmental use essential oil food gene source material medicinal tea
Edible flowers leaves
Therapeutic use Gallbladder diseases (leaf), Stomach diseases (leaf), Astringent (unspecified), Cancer (unspecified), Cold (unspecified), Digestive (unspecified), Emetic (unspecified), Emmenagogue (unspecified), Gall (unspecified), Perfume (unspecified), Stimulant (unspecified), Stomach (unspecified), Carminative (unspecified), Laxative (unspecified), Tumor(Testicle) (unspecified), Antiemetics (unspecified), Astringents (unspecified), Cholera (unspecified), Digestive system diseases (unspecified), Emetics (unspecified), Gallbladder diseases (unspecified), Headache (unspecified), General tonic for rejuvenation (unspecified), Stomach diseases (unspecified)
Human toxicity weak toxic (aerial)
Animal toxicity -

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by cuttings,
Mode divisions seedlings
Germination duration (days) -
Germination temperacture (C°) -
Germination luminosity -
Germination treatment -
Minimum temperature (C°) -28
Optimum temperature (C°) -
Size -
Vigor -
Productivity -

Images

Habit

Mentha aquatica habit picture by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)
Mentha aquatica habit picture by did_21 (cc-by-sa)
Mentha aquatica habit picture by baumfreund22 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Mentha aquatica leaf picture by wouter hiskemuller (cc-by-sa)
Mentha aquatica leaf picture by Cristian Zanella Cristian Zanella (cc-by-sa)
Mentha aquatica leaf picture by Marcela De Lindentāle (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Mentha aquatica flower picture by Jean Francois Chalopin (cc-by-sa)
Mentha aquatica flower picture by roberto (cc-by-sa)
Mentha aquatica flower picture by JP van Rie (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Mentha aquatica fruit picture by Josef Berkemeyer (cc-by-sa)
Mentha aquatica fruit picture by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Mentha aquatica fruit picture by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Distribution

Mentha aquatica world distribution map, present in Angola, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Belarus, Bermuda, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Botswana, Canada, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Algeria, Spain, Ethiopia, Finland, France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iceland, Italy, Kenya, Libya, Lesotho, Morocco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Sweden, eSwatini, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tunisia, Tanzania, United Republic of, Uganda, Ukraine, United States of America, South Africa, and Zambia

Conservation status

Mentha aquatica threat status: Least Concern

Identifiers

LSID urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:450192-1
WFO ID wfo-0000240328
COL ID 3ZRLS
BDTFX ID 41945
INPN ID 108027
Wikipedia (EN) Link
Wikipedia (FR) Link

Synonyms

Mentha aquatica f. purpurea Mentha aquatica f. elongata Mentha aquatica f. pusilla Mentha subspicata f. bracteosa Mentha x var. paludosa Mentha aquatica f. slavonica Mentha aquatica f. tiroliensis Mentha aquatica f. aradensis Mentha aquatica f. serratula Mentha aquatica f. lasiotricha Mentha aquatica f. maculosa Mentha aquatica f. perlata Mentha aquatica f. luxurians Mentha aquatica f. hirsuta Mentha subspicata f. hirsuta Mentha x var. subspicata Mentha aquatica f. pontica Mentha aquatica f. gnaphalifrons Mentha aquatica f. icmadogena Mentha aquatica f. subriparia Mentha aquatica f. silesiaca Marrubium aquaticum Mentha aquatica Mentha capitata Mentha chaixii Mentha x citrata Mentha cordata Mentha dunensis Mentha glabra Mentha glomerata Mentha grandidentata Mentha limicola Mentha limnetes Mentha limosa Mentha macrocephala Mentha nederheimensis Mentha nigrescens Mentha paludosa Mentha palustris Mentha pireana Mentha polyanthetica Mentha probabilis Mentha ramosissima Mentha ranina Mentha soleana Mentha viennensis Mentha stolonifera Mentha tinantiana Mentha weiheana Mentha weissenburgensis Mentha eriantha Mentha adspersa Mentha duriuscula Mentha stagnalis Mentha aromatica Mentha augusta Mentha aurita Mentha avellini Mentha avellini Mentha brachiata Mentha bugulifolia Mentha calaminthifolia Mentha crenato-dentata Mentha deseglisei Mentha elongata Mentha hirsuta Mentha hirta Mentha hybrida Mentha hygrophila Mentha hystrix Mentha inciso-serrata Mentha x intricata Mentha late-ovata Mentha latifolia Mentha littoralis Mentha lloydii Mentha lobeliana Mentha microcephala Mentha nepetifolia Mentha obliqua Mentha obtuseserrata Mentha obtusifolia Mentha origanoides Mentha origanoides Mentha pyrifolia Mentha pyrifolia Mentha riparia Mentha rudaeana Mentha sativa Mentha subspicata Mentha subthermalis Mentha trojana Mentha umbrosa Mentha urticifolia Mentha acuta Mentha riparia Mentha denticulata Mentha purpurea Mentha macrophylla Mentha cetica Mentha rauscheri Mentha pedunculata Mentha x var. avellinii Mentha x var. palustris Mentha x subsp. paludosa Mentha aquatica f. maxima Mentha aquatica f. valdelata Mentha aquatica f. latiovalis Mentha aquatica f. medaquensis Mentha aquatica f. solida Mentha aquatica f. limosa Mentha x var. riparia Mentha aquatica f. macrocephalota Mentha aquatica f. subhirsuta Mentha aquatica f. macrophylla Mentha aquatica f. lobeliana Mentha aquatica f. pseudopiperita Mentha aquatica f. cana Mentha aquatica f. citriodora Mentha aquatica f. elegans Mentha aquatica f. opaca Mentha aquatica f. plicata Mentha aquatica f. virgata Mentha aquatica f. caput-medusae Mentha aquatica f. lloydii Mentha aquatica f. paniculata Mentha aquatica f. pedunculata Mentha aquatica f. udicola Mentha aquatica f. ambigua Mentha aquatica f. cuneiformis Mentha aquatica f. dubia Mentha aquatica f. rubescens Mentha aquatica f. glabrescens Mentha aquatica f. subcordata Mentha stagnalis Mentha intermedia Mentha dubia Mentha ortmanniana Mentha affinis Mentha acutata Mentha aquatica var. pedunculata Mentha riparia var. angustata Mentha aquatica var. calaminthifolia Mentha aquatica subsp. caput-medusae Mentha aquatica var. limnetes Mentha aquatica var. elongata Mentha ortmanniana var. minoriflora Mentha aquatica var. citrata Mentha aquatica subsp. lloydii Mentha hirsuta var. origanoides Mentha aquatica var. eriantha Mentha hirsuta var. legitima Mentha aquatica var. subintegrifolia Mentha aquatica var. riparia Mentha aquatica var. major Mentha aquatica var. weiheana Mentha aquatica var. turrita Mentha aquatica var. incisoserrata Mentha aquatica var. denticulata Mentha aquatica var. hypeuria Mentha aquatica var. arguta Mentha aquatica var. minor Mentha aquatica var. capitata Mentha aquatica var. grandidentata Mentha hirsuta var. lobeliana Mentha aquatica var. erromena Mentha aquatica var. cheitessa Mentha aquatica var. leptocephala Mentha aquatica var. agenensis Mentha aquatica var. lloydii Mentha aquatica var. rauscheri Mentha aquatica var. psilophylla Mentha aquatica var. plerotricha Mentha aquatica var. verticicola Mentha aquatica var. metabola Mentha aquatica var. eriomastix Mentha lloydii var. opaca Mentha riparia var. umbraticola Mentha aquatica var. crenatodentata Mentha riparia var. umbrosa Mentha riparia var. acuta Mentha rudaeana var. ranina Mentha hirsuta var. purpurea Mentha hirsuta var. aquatica Mentha hirsuta var. riparia Mentha aquatica subsp. bakeri Mentha aquatica subsp. lanigera Mentha aquatica var. bicknellii Mentha aquatica var. barbigera Mentha aquatica var. limnobia Mentha aquatica var. cordata Mentha aquatica subsp. hirsuta Mentha aquatica var. latifolia Mentha aquatica var. oblongifolia Mentha aquatica var. pyrifolia Mentha aquatica var. odorata Mentha aquatica var. subsativa Mentha aquatica var. suavifolia Mentha aquatica subsp. capitata Mentha aquatica var. subspicata Mentha aquatica var. chaixii Mentha aquatica var. affinis Mentha aquatica var. dubia Mentha aquatica var. briquetiana Mentha hirsuta var. latifolia Mentha hirsuta var. subspicata Mentha aquatica var. duriuscula Mentha aquatica var. stagnalis Mentha aquatica var. stricta Mentha aquatica var. lobeliana Mentha aquatica var. submersa Mentha aquatica var. grandifolia Mentha aquatica var. clinopodiiflora Mentha aquatica var. microcephala Mentha aquatica var. longipedunculata Mentha aquatica var. pauciflora Mentha aquatica var. litoralis Mentha aquatica subsp. litoralis Mentha aquatica var. stenomacra Mentha aquatica var. ellipticifolia Mentha aquatica var. purpurea Mentha aquatica var. pusilla Mentha aquatica var. incana Mentha aquatica var. attenuata Mentha aquatica var. aequalifolia Mentha aquatica var. caudata Mentha aquatica var. pyramidalis Mentha aquatica var. umbrosa Mentha aquatica var. acutifolia Mentha aquatica var. monocephala Mentha aquatica var. parviflora Mentha aquatica var. ortmanniana Mentha aquatica var. nicaeensis Mentha aquatica var. nemorosa Mentha aquatica var. tomentosa Mentha aquatica var. major-denticulata Mentha aquatica var. ortmanniana-major Mentha aquatica var. pluridentata Mentha aquatica var. clinopodiifolia Mentha aquatica var. acuta Mentha aquatica var. lobeliana Mentha aquatica f. subsessilifolia Mentha aquatica f. schlinseana Mentha aquatica f. riparia Mentha aquatica f. stoderiana Mentha aquatica f. trichophylla Mentha aquatica f. illensis Mentha aquatica f. uberrima Mentha x var. auneticensis Mentha aquatica f. brachiata Mentha aquatica f. obscura Mentha aquatica var. polyanthetica Mentha aquatica var. subdentata Mentha aquatica var. pseudopiperita Mentha hirsuta var. limosa Mentha aquatica var. subthermalis Mentha aquatica var. simplex Mentha aquatica var. hirsuta Mentha aquatica var. carolovicensis Mentha dumetorum var. natalensis Mentha auneticensis
WorldFloraDB 2024