WILD FLOWERS BLUE AND PURPLE 
brooks, where it may be found from July to September. 
It is erect and branched, with smooth stems, and 
increases by underground suckers. It resembles 
somewhat the Spearmint. The thin, broad oval, 
sharply pointed dark green leaf is set on purple 
stained stems, and is regularly toothed. The tiny 
flowers are arranged in dense whorls, which are 
closely gathered in a short, thick, round, terminal 
spike. It ranges from Canada to Florida, Tennessee 
and Minnesota. Spiraea is from the Greek, meaning, 
twisting, and alludes to the twisted seedpods in some 
of the species. 
AMERICAN WILD MINT 
Méntha arvénsis. Mint Family. 
A native variable species with an odour like Penny- 
royal, growing commonly along the brooks and in moist 
soils, from six inches to two and a half feet in height, 
with the whorled flowers seated in the leaf-axils. It is 
more or less hairy. The long, narrow, prominently 
ribbed leaf tapers toward both ends, and is slender- 
stemmed and sharply toothed. The texture is coarse 
and the surfaces are either roughish or nearly smooth. 
The little flowers are light purple or nearly white. This 
plant is frequently mistaken for Peppermint, for which 
it is sometimes substituted. It may be found from 
July to October, and ranges from the British possessions 
to Virginia, Nebraska, New Mexico and Nevada. 
It is also found in California. This is the only Mint 
that is truly native to our country. Mentha is derived 
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