2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Water mint (lat. Mentha aquatica) Is an aquatic plant from the Lamiaceae family.
Description
Water mint is a perennial that can grow up to ninety centimeters high. The stems of this plant, which are square in cross-section, are distinguished by extraordinary hairiness. The oval leaves of water mint are one to four centimeters wide, and their length ranges from two to six centimeters. Sometimes these pubescent rounded leaves can acquire a subtle reddish tint. And if you rub them properly in your hands, you can feel the characteristic mint aroma.
The tiny flowers of the water mint cluster into fluffy, miniature, umbellate inflorescences and boast a delightful pale lilac color. Such flowers are especially loved by bees. As a rule, water mint pleases with its flowering from mid-summer until the very end. And its fruits consist of four single-seeded nut-like parts.
Where grows
Water mint is quite widespread in central Russia (here it is considered the most common marsh plant) and in Europe. You can also meet it in North-West Africa or South-West Asia. It grows mainly near swamps with rivers and ponds with streams. She feels no worse on well-moistened soils.
Usage
Most of the basic properties of watermint are similar to those of peppermint, as the latter is essentially a hybrid of spearmint with watermint. Water mint can also be used as a medicinal plant and as an excellent spice and aromatic additive to various drinks and dishes. This aquatic beauty boasts a relatively low content of essential oils and an impressive amount of menthol.
In folk medicine, this plant is used for stagnation in the gallbladder, as well as for tachycardia, diarrhea, flatulence and insufficiently active digestive process. For internal use, a special infusion is prepared from it. And externally, water mint is used in the form of ointments - they treat cervical erosion or apply them to poorly healing wounds.
Water mint is also used for herbal baths, as well as for scaring away mice with rats and numerous pests. It is also perfect for decorating the shores of various reservoirs - with its help you can even mask them.
Growing and caring
Water mint is endowed with the ability to root well and grow quickly enough. And so that it does not become an obstacle to the crops growing in the neighborhood, it is best to grow it in compact baskets, systematically shortening the stretching stems. In the ground, it is planted, as a rule, in containers, and the most optimal planting depth for this plant is eight to ten centimeters.
As for soils, water mint prefers moisture-absorbing, humus-rich, acidic and rather loose soil. And this moisture-loving beauty is planted in the fall or in the spring. In care, water mint is quite unpretentious, and, although in general it is a very light-loving crop, it also tolerates light partial shade quite well. By the way, it is recommended to renew its thickets every three to four years.
If water mint grows in the open field, it does not hurt to feed it with organic fertilizers (compost or manure) from time to time.
This plant propagates by dividing the bushes in the spring. In general, the reproduction of water mint can occur by layering, by dividing the rhizomes, as well as by trimming the roots and cuttings of the stems.
Recommended:
Mint
© Igor Mojzes / Rusmediabank.ru Latin name: Mentha Family: Lamb, or Lips Categories: Herbs, Medicinal plants Mint (lat.Mentha) - a perennial plant of the Lamiaceae family, or Lipocytes. The native land of mint is the Mediterranean and Central Asia.
Field Mint
Field mint is one of the plants of the family called labiates, in Latin the name of this plant will sound like this: Mentha arvensis L. As for the name of the field mint family itself, in Latin it will be like this: Lamiaceae Lindl. Description of field mint Field mint is also known under the following popular names:
The Difference Between Mint And Lemon Balm
Among the spicy herbs that you can grow in your own garden, there are old friends. They are unpretentious, fragrant and friendly. Let's figure out how mint differs from lemon balm, talk about their properties and benefits, learn everything about growing methods
Guinea Fowl With Apricots, "Yakutsk" Pie With Omul, Mint Kvass And Honey Pumpkin Petals: What To Try At The "Golden Autumn" Festival
We invite everyone to a grandiose holiday of autumn cuisine! From September 28 to October 7, farmers from various Russian regions will bring their best products to the Golden Autumn gastronomic festival. Well, Moscow restaurateurs will delight visitors with the most delicious seasonal dishes and drinks. The menu includes aromatic soups, original hot dishes from fish, meat and vegetables, a variety of pastries, as well as the most delicious warming drinks: from tea with lemon balm to pumpkin latte. On the square
Scented Water Mint
Water mint is common in central Russia, in Europe, as well as in North-West Africa and South-West Asia. The main places of its growth are areas near swamps, rivers, ponds and streams, or wet soils. In the middle lane, it is generally considered the most common marsh plant. It will not be difficult to cultivate this light lilac beauty in artificial reservoirs. And with the help of water mint, you can mask the shores of ponds, because most often it grows like a stele