Mentha L.
Stamens 4. Fragrant herbs Mentha
Flowers in cymes forming dense, terminal, cylindrical or globose, spike-like thyrses. Branches often purplish
Flowers in elongated spike-like thyrses
Leaves with a slightly pubescent petiole mostly at least 4 mm long, lanceolate to narrow-elliptic, up to 6 cm long, serrate. Corolla dark lilac. Rhizomatous herb with characteristic peppermint scent. Coast. Damp places. Introd. from Europe. Fl. summer–autumn. Peppermint m. piperitapiperita
Leaves sessile, lanceolate to ovate, 2–9 mm long, serrate, glabrous or slightly pubescent. Corolla lilac to pink. Perennial herb with characteristic scent. Widespread. Damp places. Introd. from Europe. Fl. summer–autumn. Spearmint m. spicata