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Mentha requienii - Benth.

Common Name Corsican Mint, Mint
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, large quantities of some members of this genus, especially when taken in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so some caution is advised.
Habitats Not known
Range Europe - Mediterranean in Corsica, Sardinia and Italy. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Mentha requienii Corsican Mint, Mint


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Mentha requienii Corsican Mint, Mint
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Mentha requienii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Leaves - raw or cooked. A very strong peppermint-like aroma, it is used as a flavouring in salads, cooked foods and liqueurs[183]. A herb tea is made from the leaves.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antiseptic  Carminative  Febrifuge

A tea made from the leaves of most mint species has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and various minor ailments[222]. The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and can be dried for later use[238]. The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential  Repellent  Strewing

An essential oil with a strong peppermint scent is obtained from the whole plant. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain[244]. An ornamental ground cover plant[183].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Ground cover  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Reaching only 1-3 cm in height. Succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[200]. This species of mint will grow in drier soils than the other mints[245]. It also grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but it also succeeds in partial shade. Prefers a shady position[188]. Fairly tolerant of being walked on, it grows well in the cracks of paving stones and also as a lawn with thyme and camomile[245]. This species is not hardy in all areas of Britain[238]. However, the plant usually self-sows even when the parent plant is killed by frost[238]. The whole plant is strongly aromatic with a peppermint aroma[245]. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies. A good companion plant for growing near cabbages and tomatoes, helping to keep them free of insect pests. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 6. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A clumping mat former. Forming a dense prostrate carpet with a limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2]. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[K]. Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Corse, Italy, Sardegna,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Mentha aquaticaWater MintPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNMWeWa333
Mentha arvensisCorn Mint, Wild mintPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNDM323
Mentha arvensis piperascensJapanese MintPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNM322
Mentha arvensis villosaAmerican Wild MintPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNM322
Mentha asiaticaAsian MintPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM322
Mentha australis Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM022
Mentha cervinaHart's PennyroyalPerennial0.3 6-9  LMHSNM322
Mentha cunninghamia Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM022
Mentha diemenica Perennial0.1 -  LMHSNM222
Mentha longifoliaHorsemintPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM222
Mentha pulegiumPennyroyalPerennial0.4 6-9  LMHSNM333
Mentha satureioidesNative PennyroyalPerennial0.3 5-9  LMHSNM222
Mentha speciesMintPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM222
Mentha spicataSpearmintPerennial0.6 3-9  LMHSNM433
Mentha suaveolensRound-Leaved Mint, Apple mint, Pineapple MintPerennial1.0 5-10 FLMHSNM222
Mentha x gracilisGinger MintPerennial0.5 5-9  LMHSNM322
Mentha x piperita citrataEau De Cologne Mint, Eau de Cologne Mint, PeppermintPerennial0.3 3-9 FLMHSNM223
Mentha x piperita officinalisWhite PeppermintPerennial0.5 3-7  LMHSNM353
Mentha x piperita vulgarisBlack PeppermintPerennial0.5 3-7  LMHSNM453
Mentha x smithianaRed Raripila MintPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM322
Mentha x villosa alopecuroidesApple Mint, Bowles' MintPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNM423

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Benth.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Stella Wragg   Wed Aug 8 2007

I am interested in obtaining seeds for corsican mint and creeping thyme are these available through your company and if so can you give me details of price etc.

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