Flower ID: IMG_4348.JPG-09-04-2022 Flower name (scientific): Mentha canadensis Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) MEN-thah kan-ah-DEN-sis Flower name (common): Field Mint Family name (common): Mint Family name (scientific): Lamiaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin for mint. A name used by Pliny for mint and probably taken from the nymph Minthe (or Mentha) of Greek mythology. Specific epithet: From or relating to Canada. Common name origin: From a common habitat and from the family of plants to which this species belongs. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.3 inches (3 to 8 mm) Petal count: 4 Color: white or pink Other: flower arrangement, Whorl Plant description: Size: 4 to 32 inches (10 to 81 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Leaves are up to 6 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, broadly lanceolate, oblanceolate, or ovate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Meadows, thickets, streambanks, along shores, disturbed areas, sun or semi-shade, moist to wet. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Mentha canadensis has a number of subspecies and varieties according to the IPNI, which is suggestive of notable variations in plant characteristics. Mentha canadensis is also known under the name Mentha arvensis. Some species of the genus Lycopus have a resemblance, but the crushed foliage of these species do not have the charactristic mint fragrance. Ethnobotany: The Menominee employed this plant along with two other species to prepare a medicine to treat pneumonia (Smith, p. 39, 1923). Employed as a carminative by the Chippewa, and also used by them to prepare a tea beverage (Gilmore, p. 140, 1933). The Ojibwe prepared a tea from the entire plant and used it as blood remedy and to break fevers. They also made a tea from the leaves and used it as a beverage (Smith, pp. 371-372, 405, 1932). Smith uses the old name Mentha arvensis var. canadensis. Latitude: 44.800082 Longitude: -91.508383 Altitude: 246.40 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na