Mentha diemenica

Mentha diemenica, commonly known as Slender Mint or Wild Mint, is a species of mint native to Australia. It belongs to the family Lamiaceae, which includes many aromatic herbs and shrubs.

Description

Mentha diemenica is a perennial herb that grows up to 30 cm tall. The leaves are small, oval, and have a strong minty aroma when crushed. The flowers are small, white to pale pink, and appear in clusters at the ends of the stems. The plant has a creeping habit, spreading by means of its underground rhizomes.

Distribution and Habitat

Mentha diemenica is found in all states of Australia, but is most common in the cooler southern regions. It grows in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, and along watercourses. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade.

Uses

The leaves of Mentha diemenica are used in traditional Aboriginal Australian medicine for their antiseptic properties. They are also used in cooking for their strong minty flavour. The plant is also grown as a ground cover in gardens for its attractive foliage and flowers.

Cultivation

Mentha diemenica is easy to grow and is propagated by division of the rhizomes or from seed. It requires a moist, well-drained soil and a sunny to partly shaded position. The plant is frost tolerant and can be pruned back hard in late winter to promote new growth in spring.

Conservation Status

Mentha diemenica is not considered to be at risk in the wild. However, like all native plants, it is protected under state legislation and cannot be collected from the wild without a permit.

See Also

• Mentha
• Lamiaceae
• Flora of Australia

References

• Flora of Australia, Volume 49, (Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1994)
• Encyclopedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation, Volume 6, (Lothian Publishing Company, Melbourne, 1990)