Mentha grandiflora

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

Mentha grandiflora is a plant species in the genus Mentha, endemic to eastern Australia. The species was described in 1848 by botanist George Bentham.[2] Its epithet, grandiflora, means "with large flowers".[3]

Taxonomy

Mentha grandiflora is generally accepted as a distinct species by taxonomy authorities,[4][5] and along with Mentha pulegium and Mentha requienii, it is considered to belong to the section Pulegium within the Mentha genus.[6] These three species have been proposed to be monophyletic, but this has not been confirmed due to lack of study of M. grandiflora.[7]

M. grandiflora may also be categorized as among the species of mint whose primary monoterpene compound is menthol (rather than carvone or linalool).[8]

Description

Mentha grandiflora is a small herb with "pale lilac-purple" flowers and a pronounced pennyroyal scent.[9]

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%).[10] Its high quantities of piperitenone oxide & trans-piperitone oxide differentiate it from the other endemic Australian species.[11] This is the only known study of the essential oil of this species.[12]

Distribution

Mentha grandiflora is endemic to regions of sandy soil in eastern Australia, from Queensland to northern New South Wales.[13] Its distribution within this range has been described as "highly disjunct" however.[9]

Use

Mentha grandiflora is considered unsuitable for food use.[14] 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."[15]

Notes

  1. ^ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Mentha grandiflora". Retrieved 2021-03-27.
  2. ^ "Mentha grandiflora Benth". The Plant List. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  3. ^ Harrison 2012, p. 101.
  4. ^ "Mentha grandiflora Benth". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  5. ^ "Mentha grandiflora Benth". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  6. ^ Tucker & Naczi 2006, p. 14.
  7. ^ Bunsawat et al. 2004, p. 963.
  8. ^ Šarić-Kundalić et al. 2009, p. 853.
  9. ^ a b Brophy et al. 1997, p. 459.
  10. ^ Brophy et al. 1997, p. 460.
  11. ^ Brophy et al. 1997, p. 461.
  12. ^ Lawrence 2006, p. 339.
  13. ^ Tucker & Naczi 2006, p. 20.
  14. ^ Hegarty, Hegarty & Wills 2001, p. 22.
  15. ^ Coates, Osborne & Ashley 1861, p. 54.

References