Guest guest Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I mentioned some time ago the desire to start an " Herb Of The Week " on this list ... and here is the start - Spearmint (Mentha spicata). I have so much spearmint in my yard. that I was inspired to begin this weekly education on herbs with this one :-D I will post various info, usage ideas, links and pictures about each herb of the week, over the course of each week. Anyone who wants to add to the info I present, including personal recipes, ideas for use, and testimonials as to the use of that herb, please don't hesitate to do so! So, from now (June 27) through next Saturday (July 3) - lets talk Spearmint! *Smile* Chris (list mom) http://www.alittleolfactory.com == == == == == == == == == == == == == == == == == == == == == == == http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/herbhunters/spearmint.html Spearmint Mentha spicata L. Synonym.-Mentha viridis L. Other common names.-Mint, brown mint, garden mint, lamb mint, mackerel mint, Our Lady's mint, sage of Bethlehem. Habitat and range.-Like peppermint, the spearmint has also been naturalized from Europe and may be found in moist fields and waste places from Nova Scotia to Utah and south to Florida. It is also cultivated to some extent for the distillation of the oil, especially in Michigan and Indiana, and for domestic use it is a familiar garden plant. Description.-Spearmint in its general characteristics resembles peppermint, but it is rather more vigorous in its growth, the lance-shaped leaves are generally stemless, and the flower spikes are narrow and pointed rather than thick and blunt. Part used.-The dried leaves and flowering tops, collected before the flowers are fully developed. Spearmint is cultivated like peppermint for the production of oil, but on a less extensive scale.* *This industry is described in the following publication: Seivers, A.F. Peppermint and Spearmint as Farm Crops. U.S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bul. 1555, 26 p., illus. 1929. _____ Sievers, A.F. 1930. The Herb Hunters Guide. Misc. Publ. No. 77. USDA, Washington DC. _____ Last update Friday, April 3, 1998 by aw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Well Christine, ship it out to others that would like some! Marti - Christine Ziegler Sunday, June 27, 2004 7:34 PM Herb Of The Week - Spearmint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Hi Marti, You want some spearmint?!?! I'll happily send ya some. I know I can cut it and dry it and send it out .. I probably could even send out a rooted plant .. :-D *Smile* Chris (list mom - not quite caught up on all my e-mail from the weekend!) http://www.alittleolfactory.com Marti Smith [martismith50] Well Christine, ship it out to others that would like some! Marti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Oh thank you Chris, Marti Smith 11377 Silver Lake Road Byron, MI 48418 I am also looking for Jewelweed if anyone can get it for me, Marti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I have some spearmint, but not a whole lot right now. I just cut a lot back and put it in the compost because I didn't have time to do anything else. I'll accept the jewelweed if you want to share! JanG Marti Smith wrote: > Oh thank you Chris, Marti Smith 11377 Silver Lake Road Byron, MI 48418 > I am also looking for Jewelweed if anyone can get it for me, Marti > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 I wish I had Jewelweed but unfortunately I don't. They say where you find poison ivy youll find jewelweed, and since I am highly allergic to pi I won't go and find any. Marti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Marti, Hello, fellow Michigander... We do have jewelweed here in Michigan. Look for low lying places that where moist in spring. Jewelweed loves to grow next to nettles or Poison ivy. It has a stem that is hollow and looks glassy, it's the juice in the stem that you want. Later in summer it get's bright orange flowers and when the seedpods come, they pop open with gusto. Because of that juice, it makes it difficult to mail. C-M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Hi all is jewel weed the orange -red flower that looks like a morning glory if so how do you harvest it it looked like a vine Sharon Marti Smith <martismith50 wrote: I wish I had Jewelweed but unfortunately I don't. They say where you find poison ivy youll find jewel weed, and since I am highly allergic to pi I won't go and find any. Marti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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