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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: water mint

Synonyms and Other Names: Mentha citrata Ehrh., Mentha piperita spp. citrate (Ehrh.) Briq., Mentha X piperita var. citrate (Ehrh.) Briq, Mentha X piperi var. citrata (Ehrh.) B. Boivin (pro nm.), water mint, lemonmint

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Water mint is an herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant growing to 90 cm tall (Source: Wikipedia). The stems are square in cross section, green or purple, and variably hairy to almost hairless. The rhizomes are wide-spreading, fleshy, and bear fibrous roots. The leaves are ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 2–6 cm long and 1–4 cm broad, green (sometimes purplish), opposite, toothed, and vary from hairy to nearly hairless. The flowers are tiny, densely crowded, purple, tubular, and pinkish to lilac in color. All parts of the plant have a distinctly minty smell.

Size: to 90 cm

Native Range: Eurasia, northwest Africa and southwest Asia.

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Water mint occurs in the shallow margins and channels of streams, rivers, pools, dykes, ditches, canals, wet meadows, marshes and fens (Warren 1993). If the plant grows in the water itself, it rises above the surface of the water. It generally occurs on mildly acid to calcareous (it is common on soft limestone) mineral or peaty soils. Flowering is from mid-late summer. Water mint is pollinated by insects, and also spreads by underground rhizomes, like other species of mint.

Means of Introduction: Deliberate release.

Status: Established.

Remarks: It hybridises with Mentha spicata (Spearmint) to produce Mentha × piperita (Peppermint), a sterile hybrid; with Mentha suaveolens (Apple Mint) to produce Mentha × suavis; with Mentha arvensis (Corn Mint) to produce Mentha × verticillata; and with both M. arvensis and M. spicata to give the tri-species hybrid Mentha × smithiana.

References: (click for full references)

Al-Qura'n, S. 2007. Ethnobotany of Folk Medicinal Aquatic Plants in Jordan. Botanical Review 73(1): 51—65.

Atsbaha Zebelo, S., C.M. Bertea, S. Bossi, A. Occhipinti, G. Gnavi, and M. E. Maffei. 2011. Chrysolina herbacea modulates terpenoid biosynthesis of Mentha aquatica L. PLoS ONE 6(3).

Brown, M.L., and R.G. Brown. 1984. Herbaceous plants of Maryland. Port City Press, Inc., Baltimore.  

Al-Qura'n, S. 2007. Ethnobotany of Folk Medicinal Aquatic Plants in Jordan. Botanical Review 73(1): 51—65.

Atsbaha Zebelo, S., C.M. Bertea, S. Bossi, A. Occhipinti, G. Gnavi, and M. E. Maffei. 2011. Chrysolina herbacea modulates terpenoid biosynthesis of Mentha aquatica L. PLoS ONE 6(3).

Conforti, F., G. Joele, G.A. Statti, M. Marrelli, G. Rango, and F. Menichini. 2008. Antiproliferative activity against human tumor cell lines and toxicity test on Mediterranean dietary plants. Food and Chemical Toxicology 46(10): 3325—3332.

Falck, M. and S. Garske. 2003. Invasive Non-native Plant Management During 2002. Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC), Odanah, WI. 68 pp.

Gobert, V., S. Moja, M. Colson, and P. Taberlet. 2002. Hybridization in the Section Mentha (Lamiaceae) Inferred from AFLP Markers. American Journal of Botany 89(12): 2017—2023.

López, V., S. Martín, M.P. Gómez-Serranillos, M.E. Carretero, A.K. Jäger, and M. I. Calvo. 2010. Neuroprotective and neurochemical properties of mint extracts. Phytotherapy Research 24(6): 869—874.

Midwest Invasives Species Information Network (MISIN) and Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI). 2013. Gingermint (Mentha x gracilis). Available http://www.misin.msu.edu/facts/detail.php?id=96. Accessed 6 May 2013.

Mimica-Dukic, N., B. Bozin, M. Sokovic, B. Mihajlovic, and M. Matavulj. 2003. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of three Mentha species essential oils. Planta Medica 69(5): 413—419.

Mitchell, R.S. (ed.). 1986. A checklist of New York State plants. Contributions of a Flora of New York State, Checklist III. New York State Bulletin No. 458. New York State Museum, Albany.

Ohio State University. 2012. Plants of the Week: Vegetable - Mint (Mentha spp.). Buckeye Yard& Garden onLine. Available http://bygl.osu.edu/content/vegetable-mint-mentha-spp. Accessed 6 May 2013.

Saygideger, S. and M. Dogan. 2005. Influence of pH on lead uptake, chlorophyll and nitrogen content of Nasturtium officinale R. Br. and Mentha aquatica L. Journal of Environmental Biology 26(4): 753—759.

Warren, P. H. 1993. Insect Herbivory on Water Mint: You Can't Get There from Here? Ecography 16(1): 11—15.

Other Resources:
USDA/NRCS PLANTS Database Wikipedia - Mentha aquatica. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha_aquatica. Accessed on 08/20/2008.  

Author: Cao, L, and L. Berent

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.