Definition

Noun: * A species of mint: Mentha spicata is the scientific name for the aromatic herb commonly known as spearmint. It is a perennial plant characterized by its bright green, spear-shaped leaves and clusters of small, purplish flowers. It is cultivated for its essential oil, which is used as a flavoring.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The recipe calls for fresh Mentha spicata.
  • The essential oil derived from Mentha spicata is a key ingredient in chewing gum and toothpaste.
  • Botanists study the differences between Mentha spicata and other mint species.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical or scientific contexts: The term is used for precise identification in scientific writing, horticulture, and pharmacology, distinguishing it from common names which can be ambiguous.
  • The study compared the chemical profiles of Mentha spicata and Mentha piperita.

Variants and Related Words

• Spearmint (n): The common English name for .
• Mentha (n): The genus name for all mint plants, which includes .

Synonyms

• Spearmint: The direct common name equivalent.
• Garden mint: A general term that often refers to .

Related Terms

• Lamiaceae (n): The botanical family (the mint family) to which belongs.
• Essential oil (n): A concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds, which is extracted from plants like .

Noun

1. common garden herb having clusters of small purplish flowers and yielding an oil used as a flavoring