Mentha × villosa
Mentha × villosa (syn: Mentha alopecuroides, Mentha nemorosa, Mentha villosa var. alopecuroides) is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between Mentha spicata and Mentha suaveolens.[1][2]
| Mentha × villosa | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Mentha |
| Species: | M. × villosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Mentha × villosa Huds. | |
The mint is traditionally used as a core ingredient in Cuba in the famous mojito, where it is known as yerba buena or hierbabuena (the drink is often made with spearmint outside of Cuba).[3]
Description
Mentha × villosa is a herbaceous, rhizomatous, perennial plant that grows to be 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall, with smooth stems, square in cross section. The rhizomes are wide-spreading and fleshy, and bear fibrous roots.
Cultivation
Mentha × villosa grows best in moist soil and part-full sun.[4][5]
The variety was not commonly available outside of Cuba until about 2005, when it became commercially available in North America.[6]
References
- "Mojito Mint: Mentha x villosa" Garden.org(Accessed Nov. 29, 2022)
- "313220". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
- "Mojito" Cookmundo.com(accessed Nov. 29, 2022)
- "Mentha x villosa" DavesGarden.com (accessed Nov. 29, 2022)
- "Mojito Mint" GreenwoodNursery.com (accessed Nov. 29, 2022)
- "Grow Mojito Mint" JoyusGarden.com(accessed Nov. 29, 2022)
- Media related to Mentha × villosa at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Mentha × villosa at Wikispecies