Mentha alaica is a mint species within the genus Mentha native to Central Asia.

Mentha alaica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Mentha
Species:
M. alaica
Binomial name
Mentha alaica

Description

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A perennial species, Mentha alaica grows to a height of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in), and propagates via creeping rhizomes.[1] It produces large oblong-lanceate leaves up to 10 centimetres (4 in) long.[2]

Taxonomy

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The species was recorded by Russian botanist Antonina Borissova in 1954.[3]

While it is accepted as a distinct species by authorities such as Plants of the World Online,[4] some authors have treated M. alaica as simply a synonym of M. longifolia.[5][6]

Distribution and habitat

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It is native to the Pamir-Alay mountain range within Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.[1][7]

Uses

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Mentha alaica has been used in various formulations in Traditional Chinese Medicine.[8] As an ingredient within this tradition, it is believed to "dispel pathogenic heat and wind."[9] Under the common name Hortelã, M. alaica was reported used as an herbal medicine in Brazil to treat nausea, as well as digestive and kidney problems.[10]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Borissova 1977, p. 442.
  2. ^ Borissova 1977, p. 430.
  3. ^ "Mentha alaica Boriss., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 16: 283 (1954)". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  4. ^ "Mentha alaica Boriss". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  5. ^ Quattrocchi 2016, p. 2472.
  6. ^ Wiart 2020, p. 516.
  7. ^ "Mentha alaica". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  8. ^ Lin et al. 2017, p. 234.
  9. ^ Chang Chen 2017, p. 63.
  10. ^ Lima et al. 2019, p. 7.

References

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