Corn mint facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corn mint |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Mentha
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| Species: |
arvensis
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Mentha arvensis is a type of mint plant. You might know it as field mint, wild mint, or corn mint. It belongs to the Mentha group of plants, which are part of the Lamiaceae family (the mint family). This plant grows naturally in many cool parts of the world. You can find it in Europe, Asia, and North America.
What Does Field Mint Look Like?
Field mint is a plant that grows back every year. It usually reaches about 10–60 cm (3.9–23.6 in) tall. Sometimes, it can grow even taller, up to 100 cm (39 in). Its stems are somewhat square-shaped and can stand up straight or spread out a bit.
The leaves on the field mint plant grow in pairs. They are simple in shape. Each leaf is about 2–6.5 cm (0.79–2.56 in) long and 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) wide. The leaves feel a bit hairy. Their edges are rough, like a saw.
The flowers of the field mint are usually light purple. Sometimes, you might see white or pink ones. These small flowers grow in circles around the stem. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower is tiny, only about 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) long. The flower has a hairy outer part called a calyx. It also has four petals, with the top one being a bit bigger. Inside, it has four parts called stamens. When the plant makes fruit, it has two small sections.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Menta silvestre para niños
