Mentha × villosa
Hybrid species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mentha × villosa (syn: Mentha alopecuroides, Mentha nemorosa, Mentha villosa var. alopecuroides) also known as hairy mint or mojito mint 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. | |
This species is native to temperate and warm temperate regions of Europe and occurs in meadows, pastures, and ruderal locations.[3] However, it is cultivated in many other countries throughout the world.
In Cuba and the Philippines, this species is known as yerba buena or hierbabuena. In Cuba, it is a core ingredient in the mojito cocktail, though other mints such as spearmint are used where mojito mint is not available.[4][5][6] In the Philippines, this species has a long history of medicinal use and is one of 10 medicinal plant species that the Philippine government has endorsed as effective.[7]
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
Historically, this species has been included in European medicinal and aromatic plant gardens, though its cultivation in Europe is in decline.[3] However, the mojito mint variety from Cuba has become increasingly popular in the United States and elsewhere as a culinary garden plant for making mojitos and other culinary uses.[8] It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome.[9]
