Seasonal Wild Flowers

Water Mint

Mentha aquatica

Lamiaceae

July to September

It is found throughout the country.

For a map see the National Biodiversity Network Gateway

It grows in wet, muddy soils beside open water, such as marshes,

ditches, ponds and rivers.

Water Mint is a native, sweet-minty smelling, rhizomatous,

spreading perennial herb, growing up to 90cm.

Flowers are in round terminal spikes and in whorls up the stem.

Individual flowers are 3-4mm across, lilac, with a 4-lobed

corolla tube, 4 stamens and a forked stigma.

The calyx has 5 pointed and hairy petals.

Leaves are hairy, green, up to 6cm, and fragrant when crushed.

Stems are branched and reddish when older.

The rhizomes readily break and help in the spread of the plant.

Water Mint en masse

Flower stem

Flower spike - purple calyx

4-lobed corollas

Stamens and forked stigmas

Lower whorl of flowers, leaf

Leaves, reddish stem