Wild Mint

Wild mint, or Mentha canadensis L., formerly Mentha arvensis L., is a common plant in the province that grows along moist areas, such as lakes and rivers. This species is also common across North America and eastern Asia.

If you have ever found this plant in the wild, you may have noticed the distinct mint smell the leaves have when you crush them in your hand. This is due to the accumulation of essential oils, particularly menthol and other related compounds, in the leaves of this plant. These compounds collect in extremely small glands composed of only a few cells embedded on the surface of the leaves, which can be seen as yellow dots in the image below.

The amount of essential oils in the glands can be greatly affected by the environment that the plant lives in. Changes in sunlight exposure, water, and soil chemistry can alter their amounts and intensity. These oils are used in a variety of foods and medicinal products, although the easiest way to use them is to brew some mint tea.