Mentha australis – River Mint (plant)

Description

Mentha australis is known by the common names of River Mint, Native Mint, Australian Mint and Native Peppermint. It is a native of eastern Australia, occurring in every state and territory, except WA. Grows in clay-rich soils, particularly near rivers and creeks, or in clay depressions in sand plain country (from PlantNET).

Mentha australis is a proper mint species, within the Mentha genus, therefore having similar uses to the more common exotic mints. Australia has approx. 7 species of native Mentha.

Phytochemistry of the species has been examined in a 2016 paper by Tang et al. (Identification and quantification of phenolics in Australian native mint (Mentha australis R. Br.). The main compounds identified were rosmarinic acid, neoponcirin, biochanin A, narirutin and chlorogenic acid, while the minor compounds found were caffeic acid, apigenin, hesperetin and naringenin.

Decoctions of M. australis plants were traditionally used to treat colds and coughs, while inhaling the crushed mint relieved headaches; the plant was also reportedly used as an abortifacient by the Indigenous Peoples (Lassak & McCarthy, 2001).

Care and Cultivation of Mentha australis

Mentha australis likes a full sun to part shade position with adequate moisture. Easy to care for, prune and fertilise regularly for best results. Creeping ground cover to 20-30cm tall. .

1 plant