Mentha grandiflora | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Mentha |
Species: | M. grandiflora
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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]
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]
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]
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]
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]