WATER MINT 



•^3 



sides. The tlowcr-stalks have bcm-hack hairs. The whole phiiii has 

 a strong scent. The corolla is nearly regular. The erect stamens are 

 equal in size. 



Water Mint is i{>-2 It. high. Mowers can be found between Inly 

 and September. The plant is a deciduous, herbaceous perennial, pro- 

 pagated by division. 



1 he small-tlowered plants are female and not so common as the 

 hermaphrodite. The anthers mature first, before the stigma. In tin- 

 latter the tube is 4-5 nmi. long, and 2 mm. wide at the mouth, 



Water .Mint {Meniha nqualica, L.) 



Otherwise the flower resembles J/, arvensis. The corolla forms a 

 bell. Honey is secreted in the ovary, which is enlarged. Honey is 

 not so easily reached as in M. arvensis, but insect visits are more 

 numerous because the ])lant is taller and the heads are larger and 

 denser. It is visited by Halichis, Ichneumons, linipis, Ascia, I:n's/a/is, 

 Syritta. Hclophiliis. Syrphus, Melanostoiiia, Oncsia, Sarcophaga, A/nsca, 

 Chrysops. 



The nutlets are adapted to fall when ripe around the parent plant, 

 or to be eaten by birds and travel some distance, being thus dispersed 

 by the plant itself or by animals. 



This fragrant plant is [)eat-loving, growing in wet, moist, peaty 

 soil, or pelophilous, growing on clay soil. 



