Editing Mentha

'''Mentha''' (also known as '''mint''') is a genus of plants in the family [[Lamiaceae]]. The exact number of species is uncertain due to widespread hybridization among them. The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America.

== Description ==
Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial herbs. They have wide-spreading underground and overground stolons and erect, square, branched stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and with a serrate margin.

== Taxonomy ==
The genus '''Mentha''' comprises up to about 18 species, with a high degree of hybridization between them. The taxonomy of the genus is made difficult because many species hybridize readily, or are themselves derived from possibly ancient hybridization events.

== Uses ==
Mints are used as food plants by the larvae of some [[Lepidoptera]] species, including [[Buff Ermine]] moths. Mints are widely distributed and can be found in many environments. Most grow best in wet environments and moist soils. Mints will grow 10–120 cm tall and can spread over an indeterminate area. Due to their tendency to spread unchecked, some mints are considered invasive.

== See also ==
* [[List of Lamiaceae genera]]
* [[Mentha oil]]

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32602 ITIS Standard Report Page: Mentha]
* [https://www.ipni.org/n/60454778-2 IPNI Plant Name Query Results for Mentha]

[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Mentha| ]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
{{stub}}
== Mentha ==
<gallery>
File:Spearmint flower.jpg|Spearmint flower
File:CSA-Chocolate-Mint.jpg|Chocolate Mint
File:Mentha gracilis and rotundifolia MN 2007.JPG|Mentha gracilis and rotundifolia
File:Mintjelly.jpg|Mint jelly
File:Mint lemonade.jpg|Mint lemonade
File:Mint-leaves-2007.jpg|Mint leaves
</gallery>