wild mint

Mentha arvensis

characteristics

Square stemmed with serrated leaves tapering to a slender tip. Leaves and stems are hairy. Pale blue, pink or white flowers bloom in dense auxiliary clusters. Spreads by rhizomes. Reseeds and spreads readily in moist areas.

Starts from seed, bare root.

habitat

Sedge meadows, shallow marshes, and stream banks.

uses

The strong mint smell repels insects and rodents.

North American aboriginals used the leaves both raw and cooked for tea and as a spice.