Mentha × gracilis
Sole (pro sp.)
Common Name:
Gingermint
Synonyms and Other Names:
Mentha cardiaca, J. Gerard ex Baker, Mentha X muelleriana auct. non F.W. Schultz, Mentha gentilis auct. non L., Mentha X gentilis var. cardiac (J. Gerard ex Baker) B. Boivin (pro nm.), creeping whorled mint, redmint, Scotchmint, Scotch spearmint, golden apple mint, little-leaved mint
Identification:
This herbaceous perennial herb has gold/green variegated leaves with serrated edges. Plants reach a height of about 40 centimeters with a spread of 60 centimeters. Leaves are highly aromatic. Lilac flowers are borne in whorled clusters along the axils and blooms in summer. This species is fully hardy throughout the Great Lakes region. Growth form is more compact than most other mints found in the region. Plants resemble M. arvensis but differ in having smaller bracts toward the summit of the stem. Often, but not always, the calyx is glabrous. This is a hybrid derived from M. arvensis and M. spicata and is notoriously variable.
Size:
0.45 m - 0.6 m
Native Range:
Eurasia.
Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
In 1910, M. gracilis was introduced into the United States. Now it is recorded in the following states in the Great Lakes region: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The first Great Lakes sighting occurred in Ontario.
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Mentha × gracilis are found here.
Full list of USGS occurrences
Table last updated 4/12/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology:
Mentha x gracilis is a horticultural hybrid cross between wildmint (M. arvensis) and invasive spearmint (M. spicata). Gingermint rarely sets seed (even more rarely viable seed), but more commonly spreads by thick creeping rhizomes with short runners. It can be propagated by divisions, tubers, corms, bulbs or softwood cuttings (MISIN 2013). Gingermint requires moist soil. It thrives under a broad range of soil types including light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade and tolerates a broad pH range. It thrives in disturbed, moist ground, especially along shores of lakes, ponds, and streams. Gingermint is most commonly found as an invasive in sites near gardens and former gardens, reflecting its origin as a horticultural planting.
Means of Introduction:
Deliberate release through planting.
Status:
Established where recorded.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Current research on the environmental impact of Mentha x gracilis in the Great Lakes is inadequate to support proper assessment. Scientific studies of Mentha x gracilis focus almost exclusively on its role as a cultivated species. Little to no information is available on the role established populations which have escaped cultivation may play in natural ecosystems. Mentha x gracilis is a hybrid of the native wildmint (M. arvensis) and the non-native M. spicata. Gingermint may thus have some potential to introduce genetic material from the non-native into the native populations, though this appears not to have been investigated.
There is little or no evidence to support that Mentha x gracilis has significant socioeconomic impacts in the Great Lakes.
Handling Mentha x gracilis may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction in sensitive individuals (MISIN 2013), but this is a relatively rare phenomenon. Mentha species, including M. x gracilis are known to carry or be susceptible to more than 20 plant viruses, including viruses such as strawberry latent ringspot viris (SLRSV), alfalfa mosaic, cucumber mosaic, tobacco mosaic, and tomato spotted wilt which are pests on other crops (Tzanetakis et al 2010), but the potential for invasive M. x gracilis populations to transmit these diseases to these other susceptible crops is unknown.
Mentha x gracilis has a high beneficial impact in the Great Lakes.
Gingermint is widely grown as an essential oil crop in more northern latitudes (Zheljazkov et al 2010). The most common commercial cultivar, Scotch spearmint, has been shown to produce more than twice the limonene of the native spearmint (Poovaiah et at 2006). In the United States, the cultivated area for mint is about 50,000 ha, with spearmint (M. spicata and M. x gracilis combined) representing 20% of the production area and the crop value. Oregon and Washington are the largest producers followed by Idaho, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. (Tzanetakis et al 2010) The USDA (2008) estimates the direct value of the spearmint oil crop at $24 million.
In addition to commercial culture for oil, a number of M. x gracilis cultivars are available to the garderner/hobbyist. The flowers attract many different kinds of butterflies and the plant is extremely popular. Mint has been used for thousands of years for anything from medicinal wraps to talismans that scare away demons. Today it is commonly used for its distinctive flavor and calming scent. Menthol, a common ingredient in cough remedies, is a mint product.
Management:
Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes)
In 2011, the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission ranked Mentha xgracilis to be a lower priority for regulation and management (Falck et al 2012). Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
Production of gingermint can be significantly reduced by diseases such as rhizome rot (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn.) (Skotland, 1979; Skotland and Traquair, 1982), septoria leaf spot (Septoria menthae Oudem.) (Green, 1961) and verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.), and insects such as mint flea beetle (Longitarsus waterhousei Kutschera) and mint bud mite (Tarsonemus spp.). Further, Mentha x gracilis is susceptible to both races of mint rusts that affect its parent mint species (Johnson et al 1999). However, none of these have not been evaluated for biocontrol of invasive populations. (Poovaiah et al 2006).
Physical
Hand-pulling may control small populations of Mentha spp. (MISIN and MNFI 2013).
Chemical
General herbicides, such as glyphosate, are effective at controlling Mentha spp. (MISIN and MNFI 2013).
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
Remarks:
M. gracilis is a perennial herb that is a hybrid between wild mint (M. arvensis) and spearmint (M. spicata). Other synonyms: Mentha cardiaca; Mentha gentilis.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Cao, L, and L. Berent
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
7/30/2019
Citation for this information:
Cao, L, and L. Berent, 2024, Mentha × gracilis Sole (pro sp.): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=2698&Potential=N&Type=0, Revision Date: 7/30/2019, Access Date: 4/12/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.