Mint Family - Biology Of Mints, Native Mints Of North America, Economic Products Obtained From Mints, Mints As Ornamental Plants
species grown
The mint family (Labiatae or Lamiaceae) is a large group of dicotyledonous plants occurring worldwide in all types of climates except in extreme arctic and antarctic conditions. There are about 3,000 species in the mint family and 200 genera. The most diverse groups are the genus Salvia with 500 species, Hyptis with 350 species, and Scutellaria, Coleus, Plectranthus, and Stachys, each with 200 species.
Some species in the mint family are economically important and are grown as herbs used to flavor foods and beverages or for the production of essential oils that are used as fragrances in perfumery. Some species are also grown as showy or fragrant ornamentals in gardens.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum). JLM Visuals. Reproduced by permission.
Additional Topics
A number of herbs are derived from aromatic species in the mint family, sometimes as cultivars that have been selectively bred to enhance the aromatic qualities of the plants. The most commonly known of these herbs are derived from several herbaceous, perennial species in the genus Mentha, originally native to Eurasia but now cultivated widely in suitable, usually temperate climates. The common mi…
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 v…
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