Spearmint
Family Labiatae (or Lamiaceae)
Mentha spicata (= Mentha viridis), spearmint (M. spicata 1), is a perennial herb and a native of Central Europe, which is widely grown for its aromatic leaves that are used for flavouring foods. The opposite leaves are very short stalked, simple and oblong-lanceolate. The small lilac flowers are borne in axillary whorls, which are more or less distant from each other.
Use
Spearmint oil is used in confectionery, chewing gum, toothpaste and pharmaceutical preparations.
Several other mints, which are all hybrids, are grown for the volatile oils, which are mainly used in chewing-gum and perfumes.