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
Conservation status
Least Concern (NCA)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Mentha
Species:	M. grandiflora
Binomial name
Mentha grandiflora Benth.

Taxonomy

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]

Description

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]

Distribution

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]

Use

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]