Peppermint purple stem and purple veins: the stem is purple in the seedling stage, purple or lavender in the middle and lower part of the stalk in the middle and late stage, and green in the upper part of the stalk. Leaves are oval in the seedling stage and long oval in the middle and late stages. Leaf veins are purple in the seedling stage, with distinct purple veins in the lower and middle leaves and light green veins in the upper leaves. Seedling leaves are dark green or purplish, with shallow, sparse and purple serrations on the leaf margins, and green in the middle and later stages. Corolla is lavender, stamens do not show, most varieties of low fertility, growth potential and branching ability is weak, underground stems and fibrous roots into the soil is shallow, exposed to the ground stolons more, poor resistance, volatile oil production is unstable, but the quality is good, the oil contains a high amount of menthol.
Peppermint green stems: the base of the stem is purple and the upper part is green in the seedling stage, and the base of the stem is mauve and the middle and upper part is green in the middle and late stage. Leaf veins are lavender or greenish-white, slightly sunken. Seedling leaves are round or ovoid, oval in middle and late stages. Leaves are green in the seedling stage, and dark green in the middle and later stages. Corolla is white and slightly blue, both androgynous, most varieties have high fruiting rate, underground stems and fibrous roots are deep into the soil, fewer stolons exposed on the surface, strong branching ability and resistance, volatile oil production is more stable, but the quality of the oil is not as good as that of the purplish-stemmed type.
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Mint (scientific name: Mentha canadensis Linnaeus) is a plant of the family Labiatae, genus Mentha, i.e., other dried whole plants of the same genus. Mostly born in the mountains and wetlands next to the river, rhizome horizontal underground, mostly born at 2100 meters altitude, but can also be grown at 3500 meters altitude, is a kind of special economic value of the aromatic crops. The whole plant is green and fragrant. Leaves opposite, small lilac flowers, lip-shaped, dark purple-brown fruits after flowering.
Morphological features: perennial herb. Stem erect, 30-60 cm tall, lower several nodes with slender fibrous roots and horizontal creeping rhizomes, sharply quadruple_shaped, with four grooves, the upper part being inverted puberulent, the lower part being puberulent only along the _, much branched. Leaf blade oblong-lanceolate, lanceolate, elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, sparsely oblong, 3-5(7) cm long, 0.8-3 cm wide, apex acute, base cuneate to subrounded, margin sparsely coarsely dentate serrate above base, lateral veins ca. 5-6 pairs, conspicuous with midribs slightly impressed above below, green above; remaining sparsely puberulent along veins densely, or remaining subglabrous except for veins, green above. light green above, usually densely puberulent along veins; petiole 2-10 mm long, ventrally concave dorsally convex, puberulent.
Growing environment: Mentha piperita has a strong ability to adapt to environmental conditions, and can grow at an altitude of 2100 meters below the area, born in the wet ground next to the water, the altitude can be as high as 3500 meters. Mentha piperita has a strong ability to adapt to temperature, its rhizome persistent overwintering, can withstand -15 ℃ low temperature. The optimal temperature for its growth is 25℃-30℃. Temperatures below 15 ℃ when the growth is slow, higher than 20 ℃ when the growth is accelerated. At 20 ℃ -30 ℃, as long as the water and fertilizer are appropriate, the higher the temperature the faster the growth. Mint is a long sunshine crop, sun-loving. Long sunshine can promote the flowering of mint, and is conducive to the accumulation of mint oil and menthol. Peppermint is not very strict on soil requirements, except for too sandy, too sticky, too heavy acidity and alkalinity and low-lying poorly drained soil, general soil can be planted to sandy loam, alluvial soil is good. Soil acidity to pH value of 6-7.5 is appropriate.
Distribution: Mentha piperita is widely distributed in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, and is found throughout China. It is cultivated throughout China, with Jiangsu and Anhui being the traditional local production areas, but the cultivated area is decreasing. [3] It is also found in tropical Asia, the Russian Far East, Korea, Japan, and North America (as far south as Mexico).
Edible value: Mentha piperita has both medical and edible functions, the main edible parts of the stems and leaves, but also can be squeezed juice service. In food, mint can be used as a flavoring agent, but also as a spice, but also with wine, tea and so on.
Medicinal value: Mentha piperita is commonly used in China as a traditional Chinese medicine, the young stem tip can be used as vegetable food, the whole herb can also be used as medicine to treat cold, fever, sore throat, headache, eye pain, muscle pain, skin rashes, skin itching, measles, etc., and canker sore, gangrene, scabies, ringworm, lacquer sores are also effective. Peppermint contains menthol, a substance that freshens the breath and has a variety of medicinal properties, relieves abdominal pain, gallbladder problems such as cramps, and has antiseptic and bactericidal, diuretic, phlegmolytic, stomachic and digestive properties. Consuming large amounts of peppermint can lead to insomnia, but in small doses it helps with sleep.