Biology:Mentha grandiflora

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Short description: Species of mint

Mentha grandiflora
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Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Mentha
Species:
M. grandiflora
Binomial name
Mentha grandiflora
Benth.

Mentha grandiflora is a plant species in the genus Mentha, endemic to eastern Australia . The species was described in 1848 by botanist George Bentham.[1] Its epithet, grandiflora, means "with large flowers".[2]

Taxonomy

Mentha grandiflora is generally accepted as a distinct species by taxonomy authorities,[3][4] and along with Mentha pulegium and Mentha requienii, it is considered to belong to the section Pulegium within the Mentha genus.[5] These three species have been proposed to be monophyletic, but this has not been confirmed due to lack of study of M. grandiflora.[6]

M. grandiflora may also be categorized as among the species of mint whose primary monoterpene compound is menthol (rather than carvone or linalool).[7]

Description

Mentha grandiflora is a small herb with "pale lilac-purple" flowers and a pronounced pennyroyal scent.[8]

An analysis of the leaf essential oil components of M. grandiflora were first published in 1997, and found its primary constituents were: piperitenone oxide (36.2%), trans-piperitone oxide (21.4%), pulegone (19.1%), menthone (9.7%), d-Limonene (3.5%), bicyclogermacrene (2.1%), piperitenone (1.7%).[9] Its high quantities of piperitenone oxide & trans-piperitone oxide differentiate it from the other endemic Australian species.[10] This is the only known study of the essential oil of this species.[11]

Distribution

Mentha grandiflora is endemic to regions of sandy soil in eastern Australia, from Queensland to northern New South Wales.[12] Its distribution within this range has been described as "highly disjunct" however.[8]

Use

Mentha grandiflora is considered unsuitable for food use.[13] The report of the 1861 Victorian Exhibition, held in Melbourne, opined that "this mint has a fiery, bitter, and very unpleasant nauseous taste" such that "it could not be used as a substitute for common peppermint, except for medical purposes."[14]

Notes

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q15341383 entry