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Mentha × piperita 'Black Peppermint'
| Family Name: | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
| Common Name: | Black Peppermint |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Europe |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herb up to 1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Dark purplish-brown leaves are ovate with toothed leaf margin. |
| Stems | Stems are 4-sided and square in cross-section. |
| Flowers | Small, mauve flowers are arranged in whorl-like clusters at the stem nodes. |
| Fruit | One-seeded, indehiscent fruits are known as nutlets. |
| Similar | This cultivar of peppermint is similar to white peppermint, but it produces more oil which is lower quality and has dark purplish brown leaves and stems, while those of white peppermint are green. |
| Cultivation | It grows best in moist, fertile soil under bright light, but needs protection from intense afternoon sun. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves Food (Herb or Spice): Peppermint tea is typically made from black peppermint leaves. Medicinal: Essential oil is used in folk medicine to relieve nausea. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant (Foliage) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stolon / Runner |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Brown, Purple |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31636 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6035 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
