Family: Lamiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 577 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Mentha
Vegetable: False
Observations: C. & E. Siberia to China and Japan, N. America
Description
American corn mint, scientifically known as Mentha canadensis, is a remarkable plant species that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. First described in 1753 by the botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work, Species Plantarum, this plant has intrigued botanists and herbalists alike for centuries.
Its natural habitat spans a vast geographic range, encompassing Central and Eastern Siberia, extending through China and Japan, and reaching into North America. Such a broad distribution underscores the adaptability and resilience of this mint species to various climatic and environmental conditions.
Characterized by its robust growth and aromatic properties, American corn mint is a perennial herb that typically prefers moist environments. It is often found thriving along riverbanks, in wetlands, and in meadows, where the soil is rich and well-drained. The plant produces small, lilac to white flowers that attract a myriad of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. This not only enhances the local biodiversity but also aids in the propagation of numerous native plant species.
American corn mint has been utilized for its medicinal properties for generations. Indigenous cultures and traditional medicine practitioners have long recognized its potential in treating a variety of ailments. The plant is often used to create essential oils that carry a potent, minty fragrance, which is believed to have therapeutic properties. These oils are commonly employed in aromatherapy to alleviate respiratory issues, reduce stress, and refresh the mind and body.
Furthermore, American corn mint plays a significant role in culinary applications as well. Its leaves can be used to infuse a delightful mint flavor in teas, salads, and various dishes, bridging the gap between utility and flavor in the gastronomic world.
In sum, American corn mint (Mentha canadensis) is a versatile plant with a rich history and extensive range, offering numerous benefits from ecological and medicinal to culinary uses. Its presence across various continents underlines its ecological importance and cultural significance in diverse settings.
Common Names
Eng: american corn mint, canadian mint, chinese mint, corn mint, japanese corn mint, japanese mint, american cornmint, canada mint, american wild mint
Deu: japanische minze
Swe: japanmynta
Spa: menta japonesa
Fra: menthe du canada, baume
En: American corn mint, Japanese corn mint, Japanese mint, Corn mint, Chinese mint, Canadian mint, Héheotsé-heséeo’ôtse, American cornmint, Canada mint, American wild mint
Ar: نعناع كندي
Bg: Канадска мента
Zh: Bo he, 單列萼薄荷, 薄荷
Fi: Sahalininrantaminttu
Fr: Menthe du Canada, Baume
De: Japanische Minze
Ja: Hakka
Ko: Bagha, 박하, 영생이
Fa: نعناع کانادایی
Pt: Chinese Mint, Japanese Field Mint
Ru: Мята канадская
Es: Menta japonesa
Sv: Japanmynta
Zh-tw: 薄荷
Zh-hant: 薄荷
Synonyms
- Clinopodium purpureum ((Kellogg) Kuntze)
- Mentha arvensis var. pavoniana ((Briq.) Briq.)
- Mentha glabrior ((Hook.) Rydb.)
- Mentha arvensis var. schmitzii (Briq.)
- Mentha haplocalyx subsp. austera (Briq.)
- Mentha haplocalyx var. barbata (Nakai)
- Mentha arvensis f. lanigera (S.R.Stewart)
- Mentha lanata ((Piper) Rydb.)
- Mentha haplocalyx var. piperascens ((Malinv. ex Holmes) C.Y.Wu & H.W.Li)
- Mentha sachalinensis var. arguta (Kitag.)
- Mentha arvensis var. haplocalyx ((Briq.) Briq.)
- Mentha arvensis var. lanata (Piper)
- Mentha arvensis subsp. canadensis ((L.) H.Hara)
- Mentha arvensis var. sachalinensis (Briq.)
- Mentha arvensis f. brevipilosa (S.R.Stewart)
- Mentha arvensis subsp. haplocalyx ((Briq.) Briq.)
- Mentha trachiloma (Raf.)
- Mentha haplocalyx f. alba (X.L.Liu & X.H.Guo)
- Mentha canadensis var. borealis (N.Coleman)
- Mentha arvensis f. lanata ((Piper) S.R.Stewart)
- Mentha arvensis var. javanica ((Blume) Hook.f.)
- Mentha canadensis var. glabrior (Hook.)
- Mentha arvensis subsp. piperascens ((Malinv. ex Holmes) H.Hara)
- Mentha sachalinensis f. pilosa (H.Hara)
- Mentha canadensis var. lanata ((Piper) J.K.Henry)
- Mentha canadensis var. villosa (Benth.)
- Mentha hakka (Siebold)
- Mentha terebinthinacea (Willd. ex Steud.)
- Mentha glauca var. parvifolia (Raf.)
- Mentha arvensis var. borealis ((Michx.) Kuntze)
- Mentha arvensis var. canadensis ((L.) Kuntze)
- Mentha haplocalyx var. sachalinensis ((Briq.) Kudô)
- Mentha canadensis var. piperascens ((Malinv. ex Holmes) H.Hara)
- Mentha haplocalyx (Briq.)
- Mentha arvensis var. occidentalis ((Rydb.) G.N.Jones)
- Mentha arvensis var. penardii (Briq.)
- Mentha haplocalyx subsp. pavoniana (Briq.)
- Mentha arvensis f. pedunculata (D.Löve & J.-P.Bernard)
- Mentha arvensis subsp. borealis ((Michx.) Roy L.Taylor & MacBryde)
- Mentha canadensis var. glabrata (Benth.)
- Mentha arvensis var. glabra (Benth.)
- Mentha disperma (Sessé & Moc.)
- Mentha ciliata (Raf.)
- Mentha canadensis var. retrorsa (J.L.Liu)
- Mentha javanica (Blume)
- Mentha arvensis f. glabrata ((Benth.) S.R.Stewart)
- Hedeoma purpurea (Kellogg)
- Micromeria purpurea ((Kellogg) A.Gray)
- Mentha borealis (Michx.)
- Mentha arvensis f. puberula (S.R.Stewart)
- Mentha sachalinensis ((Briq.) Kudô)
- Mentha pedunculata (Hu & Tsai)
- Mentha arvensis f. glabra ((Benth.) S.R.Stewart)
- Mentha penardii ((Briq.) Rydb.)
- Mentha canadensis var. sachalinensis ((Briq.) Kudô)
- Mentha canadensis subsp. lanata ((Piper) Piper)
- Mentha haplocalyx var. pilosa (G.J.Liu)
- Mentha canadensis var. mexicana (M.Martens & Galeotti)
- Mentha haplocalyx var. nipponensis (Matsum. & Kudô)
- Mentha canadensis f. pilosa ((H.Hara) H.Hara)
- Mentha arvensis var. barbata ((Nakai) W.Lee)
- Mentha occidentalis (Rydb.)
- Mentha canadensis subsp. borealis ((Michx.) Piper)
- Mentha arvensis f. chinensis (Debeaux)
- Mentha glauca (Raf.)
- Satureja purpurea ((Kellogg) Briq.)
- Mentha arvensis var. piperascens (Malinv. ex Holmes)
- Mentha sachalinensis f. arguta ((Kitag.) Y.C.Zhu)
- Mentha arvensis var. zollingeri (Briq.)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Amur (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- California (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Japan (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Laos (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Maine (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Utah (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yukon (native)
- Magadan (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2927198)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:450311-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mentha canadensis L.)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Stem
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 5.0
