771002-03 The Mentha arvensis aggregate M. arvensis, M. canadensis
Geography: Circumboreal.
Notes: We consider the native plant of North America and northeastern Asia to be Mentha canadensis and to be specifically different from M. arvensis s. str., native in Europe and western Siberia. The species group is intricate and the differences slight, but at least the North American plants are recognizably different from the European ones in leaf shape (narrower and more tapering at both ends), calyx (longer and with distinctly longer calyx teeth), and in general habit. There is a possible difference in main ploidy levels, see below. We know of no recent survey comparing European, Asian, and North American Menthas.
Higher Taxa
- Mentha [7710,genus]