Lamiaceae FAMILY

Mentha × villosa

Edibility

4/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, large quantities of some members of this genus, especially when taken in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so some caution is advised.

Botanical Description

Mentha × villosa is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to.60cm tall. Apple mint is used as a domestic herbal remedy and also as a food flavouring, in particular being used to make 'mint sauce', a popular food flavouring, especially in Britain. The plant is often grown in gardens and also sometimes on a commercial basis.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeCentral and southern Europe - Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Germany, Britain, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland

HabitatRoadsides and in ditches in the S. and W. of England[ 5 Title Food for Free. Publication Author Mabey. R. Publisher Collins Year 1974 ISBN 0-00-219060-5 Description Edible wild plants found in Britain. Fairly comprehensive, very few pictures and rather optimistic on the desirability of some of the plants. , 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. ]. Probably a hybrid, Mentha spicata x Mentha suaveolens.