Mentha micrantha facts for kids

Mentha micrantha is a type of plant in the Mentha family, which includes mint. It grows naturally in parts of western Kazakhstan and southeastern Russia. A botanist named George Bentham first described this plant in 1890. Its name, micrantha, means "with small flowers." This plant is special because it's the only one in its group that lives for just one year.

What is Mentha micrantha?

Plants are grouped into families and types, like a big family tree. This is called taxonomy. For Mentha micrantha, scientists don't always agree on its exact spot in this tree.

How Scientists Classify Plants

Some experts, like those at Plants of the World Online, say Mentha micrantha is its own unique species. But in 2006, some scientists thought it was just a type of another plant called Mentha pulegium.

When it is seen as a separate species, Mentha micrantha belongs to a group called Pulegium. This group also includes plants like M. pulegium and Mentha gattefossei.

What Does Mentha micrantha Look Like?

Mentha micrantha is a small plant that grows every year. It stands upright and has square-shaped stems. These stems can be from 12 to 30 centimeters (about 5 to 12 inches) tall.

Leaves and Flowers

Its leaves are mostly smooth on the edges and can be long and oval-shaped. The plant flowers in clusters that are 7 to 12 millimeters long. Its flowers have two lips and can be pink, rose-lilac, or purple.

Where Does Mentha micrantha Grow?

You can find Mentha micrantha in southeastern Russia and western to central Kazakhstan. It likes to grow in open grassy areas called steppes. It also grows in sinkholes, which are dips in the ground.

What Kind of Environment Does It Like?

This plant is a hygrophyte, which means it loves wet soil. So, you'll often find it in places where the ground stays moist.