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Mint Family

Mints As Weeds

Many species in the mint family are grown in gardens and in agriculture, and these have been transported around the world for cultivation in suitable climates. In some cases, these species have escaped from cultivation and have become minor weeds of agriculture, lawns, and disturbed areas. Examples of such weeds in North America include catnip, ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea), heal-all (Prunella vulgaris), hemp-nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit), henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), and motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca).


Resources

Books

Hvass, E. Plants That Serve and Feed Us. New York: Hippocrene Books, 1975.

Klein, R.M. The Green World: An Introduction to Plants and People. New York: Harper and Row, 1987.

Woodland, D. W. Contemporary Plant Systematics. 3rd ed. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 1999.


Bill Freedman

KEY TERMS

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Bilateral symmetry

—In reference to flower shape, this means that a vertical sectioning of the flower will produce two halves with symmetric features.

Cultivar

—A distinct variety of a plant that has been bred for particular, agricultural or culinary attributes. Cultivars are not sufficiently distinct in the genetic sense to be considered to be subspecies.

Essential oil

—These are various types of volatile organic oils that occur in plants and can be extracted for use in perfumery and flavoring.

Inflorescence

—A grouping or arrangement of florets or flowers into a composite structure, often for the purpose of making the flowers more attractive to animal pollinators.

Nutlet

—A diminutive nut, or a small, dry, oneseeded fruit with a hard coat.

Additional topics

Science EncyclopediaScience & Philosophy: Methane to Molecular clockMint Family - Biology Of Mints, Native Mints Of North America, Economic Products Obtained From Mints, Mints As Ornamental Plants