Mentha aquatica is similar to mentha arvensis, differing in the tubular rather than bell-shaped calyces, and for having the largest flower cluster at the top of the stem rather than lower down.
Common name:
Water mint
Family:
Scientific name:
Mentha aquatica
Main flower color:
Range:
All of the British Isles, except high elevation regions
Height:
Up to 60 cm
Habitat:
Damp woodland and meadows, and shallow water along the edges of lakes and ponds
Flowers:
The corolla is pale pink, around 4 mm long; narrowly funnel-shaped, opening to five lobes, slightly uneven along the margins, and hairy on the outer surface. Stamens are strongly exserted. Flowers form mainly as a rounded to slightly elongated terminal cluster, usually with one or two smaller whorls at the leaf nodes below
Leaves:
Opposite, ovate, hairy (especially underneath), lined by small, shallow teeth; up to 6 cm long and 4 cm across
Season:
July to October
Rarity:
★★★★★
